ハマグリ

はまぐり
noun
clam (hard-shell clam)
foodnature
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(みそしる)を作(つく)る。
To make clam miso soup.
潮干狩(しおひが)りでハマグリを取(と)った。
I gathered clams while clamming.
ひな祭(まつ)りにはハマグリの吸(す)い物(もの)を食(た)べる習慣(しゅうかん)がある。
There is a custom of eating clam soup on the Doll Festival.

Can also be written in kanji as 蛤(はまぐり), 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(はま) (beach) and 栗(ぐり) (chestnut), referring to the chestnut-like shape of the shell.

Common collocations

Cultural note

ハマグリ is traditionally served at ひな祭(まつ)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(かいあ)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

Related Words

Compare: アサリ (short-necked clam)
Compare: しじみ (freshwater clam)
general
Added 2026.4.9 6:23 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
23000/23183_hamaguri