貝
kai[ka̠i]
The English word shellfish can be translated into Japanese as 貝 (kai). Wiktionary also lists 甲殻類 (kōkakurui).
Meaning: aquatic food that has a shell (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 貝 | kai | [ka̠i] (narrow) [ba̠i] (narrow) |
| 甲殻類 | kōkakurui |
In professional, culinary or scientific contexts, you may encounter the more formal term 貝類, which specifically refers to mollusks or bivalves.
Which one should you use?
While both can relate to aquatic shelled animals, 甲殻類 refers specifically to crustaceans such as shrimp, crab and lobster. This distinguishes them from mollusks, which are covered by the term 貝類.
How do you pronounce it?
kai
Did you know?
- In ancient times, cowrie shells were used as a form of currency in China, which is why the character for 貝 is the radical used for many Japanese words involving money.
- In certain Japanese idiomatic expressions, the word 貝 is used to describe something that is 'shut tight', such as a person's mouth or a person's personality.
- The phonetic history of 貝 shows a significant shift from the ancient 'kapi' to the modern 'kai', a common pattern in the evolution of Japanese phonology.
Examples in context
- Kairui wa oishii desu. (貝類は美味しいです。)Shellfish is delicious.
- Kaki o tabetai desu. (牡蠣を食べたいです。)I want to eat oysters.
- 貝が好きです。kai ga suki desu.I like shellfish.
- この貝は大きいです。kono kai wa ookii desu.This shellfish is large.
- 新鮮な貝を食べたいです。shinsenna kai o tabetai desu.I want to eat fresh shellfish.
Example conversation
A young man and woman are at a seafood market.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太、新鮮な貝がありますよ。Hinata, shinsenna kai ga arimasu yo.Hinata, there is fresh shellfish.
- 陽太 Yota本当だ。美味しそうな貝ですね。Honto da. Oishisou na kai desu ne.You're right. They look like delicious shellfish.
- 陽葵 Himariたくさん買っていきましょうか？Takusan katte ikimashou ka?Shall we buy a lot?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、そうしましょう。Hai, sou shimashou.Yes, let's do that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shellfish” translations and entries 貝, 甲殻類, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 貝, CC BY-SA 4.0.
