貝殻(かいがら)

貝殻(かいがら) is the hard outer covering left behind by mollusks and other shellfish. Seashells washed up on beaches are a common sight in Japan, and 貝殻(かいがら)拾(ひろ)い (shell collecting) is a popular seaside activity for children and adults alike.

Common patterns

• 貝(かい) (shellfish) + 殻(がら) (shell, husk)

Common collocations

• 貝殻(かいがら)を拾(ひろ)う (to pick up seashells)
• 貝殻(かいがら)を集(あつ)める (to collect seashells)
• 貝殻(かいがら)の形(かたち) (the shape of a shell)
• 貝殻(かいがら)で飾(かざ)る (to decorate with seashells)

Related words

• 貝(かい) (shellfish — the living animal)
• 殻(から) (shell, husk — general term; read から when standalone)
• 巻(ま)き貝(がい) (snail shell, spiral shell)
• 二枚貝(にまいがい) (bivalve)