貝殻・貝がら・貝殼|かいがらkaigara[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
貝殻貝殻 is the most common written form and uses kanji only. For beginners, it is the recommended form when writing this word.
貝がら貝がら is a less common variant written with kanji and kana mixed. Beginners should generally choose 貝殻 instead.
貝殼貝殼 is a less common kanji-only variant using an outdated kanji. Learners should choose 貝殻 rather than this form.
Definitions
- nounseashell; shell
Synonyms & antonyms
- SynonymシェルNeutralLoanword meaning a shell, used mostly in names or computer terminology; for shells in everyday speech say 「貝殻」.
- Synonym甲こうWrittenWritten style for tortoise shells and carapaces; seldom used alone, it appears mostly in compounds.
- Synonym介殻かいかくWrittenWritten, zoological term for a seashell; in everyday speech say 「貝殻」.
- Related甲こうWrittenWritten style for tortoise shells and carapaces; seldom used alone, it appears mostly in compounds.
- Related甲羅こうらNeutralThe hard shell of turtles, crabs and the like; it is not used for the shells of clams, snails or other molluscs.
- Related甲殻こうかくWrittenWritten, biology-leaning word for the shells of shrimp and crabs, as in 「甲殻類」.
Use 「貝殻」 for a shellfish's shell, as in 「貝殻を拾う」. For turtle or crab shells say 「甲羅」, for crustaceans 「甲殻」; 「介殻」 is zoological. 「シェル」 appears in names and computing, 「甲」 in compounds.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
