カニ
kani
The Japanese word for "crab" is カニ (kani).
カニ refers to the crustacean known as a crab. While the word can be written with the kanji 蟹, it is very common to see it written in katakana as カニ on grocery store labels, restaurant menus and in general writing.
Meaning: crustacean (noun)
Which one should you use?
The word can be written in different ways: the katakana カニ is standard for general use and menus, while the kanji 蟹 is also a valid way to write the word. Specific types of crab have their own names, such as Kegani (毛蟹), which refers to the hairy crab or velvet crab. Additionally, Kanikama (かにかま) refers specifically to surimi or imitation crab meat.
How do you pronounce it?
kani
Did you know?
- Some traditional Japanese restaurants serve カニ in a style called 'Kani-ryori', where a single crab is prepared in five or six different ways to showcase every part of the anatomy.
- In Japanese pop culture, the word カニ is often used in the phrase カニ歩き to describe a 'crab walk' or moving sideways, often used to describe someone sneaking around.
- The kanji for crab, 蟹, can be written in highly stylized forms on high-end sushi menus that may be unrecognizable to a student using a standard dictionary.
Examples in context
- 私はカニを大ごちそうだと思っている。I regard crab as a great delicacy.This sentence shows how to express a personal opinion regarding カニ as a delicacy.Tatoeba #161183 by bunbuku, translation #253336 by CK
- これはカニです。This is a crab.This sentence is useful for basic identification using カニ.Tatoeba #13662196 by HAGNi, translation #12268570 by Miktsoanit
- Watashi wa kani ga daisuki desu. (私はかにが大好きです。)I love crab.
- Ashita, gani tabenai? (明日、ガニ食べない？)How about eating crab tomorrow?
- カニを食べたいです。Kani o tabetai desu.I want to eat crab.
Example conversation
A couple is looking at a seafood menu at a restaurant.
- 蓮 Renこのカニはいくらですか？Kono kani wa ikura desu ka?How much is this crab?
- 美咲 Misakiとても高いですよ。Totemo takai desu yo.It is very expensive.
- 蓮 Renでも、カニは美味しいですよね。Demo, kani wa oishii desu yo ne.But crab is delicious, isn't it?
- 美咲 Misakiそうですね、蓮さん。Sou desu ne, Ren-san.That's true, Ren.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry カニ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
