エゾバイ
ezobai
The English word "whelk" is translated into Japanese as エゾバイ (ezobai).
エゾバイ refers to an edible sea snail belonging to the family Buccinidae.
Meaning: edible sea snail of the family Buccinidae (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is ezobai.
Did you know?
- The word つぶ (tsubu) used for whelks is also the general Japanese word for 'grain' or 'small bead'. This describes the plump, rounded appearance of the snail's meat once it is removed from the shell.
- The term つぼ焼き (tsubo-yaki) used for grilled whelks shares its root with the word for 'pot' or 'jar'. The shell is treated as a natural ceramic pot to steam the meat in its own juices.
- The name エゾバイ contains the word エゾ, which refers to Ezo, the historical name for Hokkaido. This indicates that the species is most commonly associated with the colder waters of northern Japan.
Examples in context
- ツブ貝っておいしいですか？
はい、とってもおいしいですよ。一度食べてみるべきです！A: Are whelks tasty?
B: Yes, they are really delicious. You should try them at least once!
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are at a seafood restaurant.
- 結衣 Yui健太さん、このエゾバイを食べてみて。Kenta-san, kono ezobai o tabete mite.Kenta, try eating this whelk.
- 健太 Kenta美味しい！食感がいいですね。Oishii! Shokkan ga ii desu ne.It's delicious! It has a great texture.
- 結衣 Yuiエゾバイはここで人気なんですよ。Ezobai wa koko de ninki nan desu yo.Whelks are popular here.
- 健太 Kentaもう一皿注文しましょう。Mō hitosara chūmon shimashō.Let's order another plate.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “whelk” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
