蛤
hamaguri[ha̠ma̠ɡɯ̟ɾʲi]
In Japanese, the English phrase "clam" can be translated as 蛤 (hamaguri) or 浅蜊 (asari).
Meaning: mollusc (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 蛤 | hamaguri | [ha̠ma̠ɡɯ̟ɾʲi] (narrow) |
| 浅蜊 | asari | [a̠sa̠ɾʲi] (narrow) |
Both terms refer to molluscs, but they are distinguished by the type of clam they describe. The word あさり is often used in culinary contexts to refer to the common clam, frequently written in hiragana rather than the kanji 浅蜊.
Which one should you use?
The term 蛤 (hamaguri) specifically refers to the larger, thicker-shelled hard clam. In contrast, 浅蜊 (asari) refers to the smaller, more common manila clam, which is more frequently used in everyday cooking than 蛤.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The related verb あさり means to dig for clams.
How do you pronounce it?
hamaguri
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, the two shells of a 蛤 (hamaguri) are seen as a perfect match because they only fit together with their original partner.
- The name for the large clam, 蛤 (hamaguri), is a compound of the words for 'beach' and 'chestnut'.
- Because of their unique fit, 蛤 (hamaguri) is a traditional food served at Japanese weddings to symbolize a harmonious marriage.
Examples in context
- 今日はハマグリの汁を作ります。Today, I will make clam soup.
- この川でシジミが採れるんです。Clams can be collected in this river.
- 蛤の味噌汁はとても美味しいです。Hamaguri no misoshiru wa totemo oishii desu.Clam miso soup is very delicious.
- 市場で新鮮な蛤を買いました。Ichiba de shinsen na hamaguri o kaimashita.I bought fresh clams at the market.
- 蛤の殻はとても硬いです。Hamaguri no kara wa totemo katai desu.The clam shell is very hard.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are discussing dinner preparations in the kitchen.
- 美咲 Misaki今日の夕食は蛤の煮物にするね。Kyou no yuushoku wa hamaguri no nimono ni suru ne.I'll make simmered clams for dinner today.
- 健太 Kentaそれはいいね、楽しみだよ。Sore wa ii ne, tanoshimi da yo.That sounds good, I'm looking forward to it.
- 美咲 Misaki健太君、蛤は洗っておいてくれる？Kenta-kun, hamaguri wa aratte oite kureru?Kenta, can you wash the clams for me?
- 健太 Kentaわかった、すぐにやるよ。Wakatta, sugu ni yaru yo.Got it, I'll do it right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clam” translations and entries 蛤, 浅蜊, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 蛤, CC BY-SA 4.0.
