JLPT · Level 50
45 words
Japanese word
貝殻
Pronunciation
Romajikaigara
Meaning
- nounshell
Example
この貝殻は白いです。ko no kai gara wa shiro i de su
This shell is white.
More examples
この貝殻は耳に当てると波の音が聞こえます。ko no kai gara wa mimi ni a te ru to nami no oto ga ki ko e ma su
You can hear the sound of waves when you hold this seashell to your ear.
Core concept
Refers to the hard outer covering of a shellfish, especially when it is found on a beach or kept as a natural object.
Common phrases
貝殻を耳に当てるkai gara o mimi ni a te ru
hold a seashell to one's ear
貝殻を磨くkai gara o miga ku
polish a seashell
貝殻の形kai gara no katachi
shape of a seashell
Similar words
殻kara: The hard protective covering around an animal, egg, or seed.
Definition in Japanese
貝の体を包む硬い殻。kai no karada o tsutsu mu kata i kara
Word origin
貝殻 (kaigara) is a compound of 貝 (kai, "shellfish") and 殻 (kara, "shell"), meaning the hard shell of a shellfish.
Usage tips
- English speakers often use seashell for a shell found on a beach, while shell alone can also mean a turtle covering, an egg covering, or a computer program.
Other meanings
- seashellnoun