1.
shell; carapace
the hard outer shell of a turtle, tortoise, or crab; a carapace
亀が甲羅に隠れた。
The turtle hid in its shell.
亀が甲羅干しをしている。
The turtle is basking in the sun.
カニの甲羅に味噌を詰めて焼く料理は絶品だ。
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 甲羅干し, meaning a turtle basking in the sun on a rock.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 甲羅干し: sunbathing (said of turtles)
- 亀の甲羅: turtle shell
- カニの甲羅: crab shell
- 甲羅焼き: grilled in the shell (a crab dish)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 殻: shell — broader, includes eggs, nuts, and shellfish
- 貝殻: seashell — specifically the shell of a bivalve or snail
ETYMOLOGY:
The kanji 甲 means "shell" or "armor" and 羅 contributes a covering sense, together describing the armored shell.