甲羅(こうら)

こうら
noun
shell; carapace
natureanimal-general
1. shell; carapace
the hard outer shell of a turtle, tortoise, or crab; a carapace
亀(かめ)が甲羅(こうら)に隠(かく)れた。
The turtle hid in its shell.
亀(かめ)が甲羅(こうら)干(ぼ)しをしている。
The turtle is basking in the sun.
カニの甲羅(こうら)に味噌(みそ)を詰(つ)めて焼(や)く料理(りょうり)は絶品(ぜっぴん)だ。
The dish where crab miso is stuffed into the shell and grilled is exquisite.

Specifically refers to the hard dorsal shell of turtles, tortoises, and crabs. Also used in the set expression 甲羅(こうら)干(ぼ)し, meaning a turtle basking in the sun on a rock.

Common collocations

  • 甲羅(こうら)干(ぼ)し: sunbathing (said of turtles)
  • 亀(かめ)の甲羅(こうら): turtle shell
  • カニの甲羅(こうら): crab shell
  • 甲羅(こうら)焼(や)き: grilled in the shell (a crab dish)

Similar words

Etymology

The kanji 甲(こう) means "shell" or "armor" and 羅(ら) contributes a covering sense, together describing the armored shell.

Related Words

Compare: 殻(から) (shell)
Compare: 貝殻(かいがら) (seashell)
general
Added 2026.4.4 4:21 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
21500/21848_koura