ハマグリ
はまぐり
noun
clam (hard-shell clam)
1.
clam; hard-shell clam (Meretrix lusoria)
A type of saltwater clam found along the coasts of Japan, China, and Korea. Valued as a food ingredient and culturally significant as a symbol at the Doll Festival.
ハマグリの味噌汁を作る。
To make clam miso soup.
潮干狩りでハマグリを取った。
I gathered clams while clamming.
ひな祭りにはハマグリの吸い物を食べる習慣がある。
There is a custom of eating clam soup on the Doll Festival.
Can also be written in kanji as 蛤, but the katakana form ハマグリ is standard in modern usage, especially in menus, recipes, and everyday writing. The name comes from 浜 (beach) and 栗 (chestnut), referring to the chestnut-like shape of the shell.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ハマグリの味噌汁: clam miso soup
- ハマグリの吸い物: clear clam soup
- ハマグリの酒蒸し: sake-steamed clams
- 焼きハマグリ: grilled clams
CULTURAL NOTE:
ハマグリ is traditionally served at ひな祭り (the Doll Festival, March 3) because each pair of clam shells fits only with its original partner, symbolizing a faithful marriage. The shell-matching game 貝合わせ also uses clam shells.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- アサリ: short-necked clam — smaller and more common; used in pasta and miso soup
- シジミ: freshwater clam — tiny clams used in miso soup, associated with liver health