真珠貝

Japanese

Kanji in this term
真	珠	貝
しん Grade: 3	しゅ > じゅ Grade: S	かい > がい Grade: 1
on’yomi

Etymology

The Japanese akoya pearl oyster.

Compound of 真珠 (shinju, “pearl”) +‎ 貝 (kai, “shell, shellfish”). The kai changes to gai due to rendaku (連濁).

Noun

真珠貝(しんじゅがい) • (shinjugai)

1. the pearl oyster, Japanese akoya oyster (inedible)

See also

• 牡蠣(かき) (kaki): oyster (edible)

References

• 2002, Yasuo Kitahara, 明鏡国語辞典 (Meikyō Kokugo Jiten), First Edition (in Japanese), Tokyo: Taishūkan Shoten, →ISBN