蟹(かに)

かに

noun

crab

1. crab

A crustacean with a hard shell, pincers, and eight walking legs. Crabs are prized as a delicacy in Japan, especially in winter.

冬(ふゆ)になると蟹(かに)が美味(おい)しい季節(きせつ)だ。

When winter comes, it's the season when crabs are delicious.

蟹(かに)を茹(ゆ)でて食(た)べた。

We boiled crabs and ate them.

蟹(かに)が横(よこ)に歩(ある)いている。

The crab is walking sideways.

蟹(かに) refers to crabs.

Alternative writing: カニ (katakana, common)

Popular types in Japan:

ズワイ蟹(がに) (snow crab)
タラバ蟹(がに) (king crab)
毛蟹(けがに) (horsehair crab)
花咲(はなさき)蟹(がに) (Hanasaki crab)

Common expressions

蟹味噌(かにみそ) (crab innards, a delicacy)
蟹(かに)鍋(なべ) (crab hot pot)
蟹(かに)食(た)べ放題(ほうだい) (all-you-can-eat crab)

Counter: 匹(ひき) or 杯(はい) (for whole crabs at market)

Cultural note

Crab is a popular winter delicacy in Japan, with famous crab-producing regions including Hokkaido, Fukui (越前(えちぜん)蟹(がに)), and Tottori (松葉(まつば)蟹(がに)). Many ryokan (traditional inns) offer special crab courses in winter.

general

Added 2026.1.14 20:02 · Revised 2026.6.13 22:01

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