Japanese Conversation · Level 28
90 words
Japanese word
貝
Pronunciation
Romajikai
Meaning
- nounshellfish
Example
市場で新鮮な貝を買います。shi jō de shin sen na kai o ka i ma su
I buy fresh shellfish at the market.
More examples
このスープには貝のうまみがよく出ています。ko no sū pu ni wa kai no u ma mi ga yo ku de te i ma su
This soup has a rich shellfish flavor.
Core concept
Centers on a hard-shelled aquatic creature and, by extension, the shell that protects it.
Common phrases
貝を買うkai o ka u
buy shellfish
貝を蒸すkai o fuka su
steam shellfish
貝のうまみkai no u ma mi
shellfish flavor
Definition in Japanese
硬い殻を持つ水中の軟体動物。また、その殻。kata i kara o mo tsu sui chū no nan tai dō butsu ma ta so no kara
Word origin
The Japanese noun 貝 (kai, "shellfish; shell") is inherited from Old Japanese, but its deeper etymology is uncertain.
Usage tips
- English shellfish includes shrimp and crabs, whereas 貝 (kai) usually refers to mollusks such as clams and oysters.
Other meanings
- shellnoun
Related words
- 貝類kairuishellfishnoun