Learn Japanese while reading Manga with our new Manga Reader Tool!

Nihongo

Classroom

What is the Kanji for 'Shellfish'? | 貝

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Shellfish', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Shellfish' is 貝.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Shellfish

    Reading

    kunyomiかい

    kai

    onyomiばい

    bai

    Parts

    Eye Eight

    Example Word

    貝: shellfish. The Japanese noun '貝 (かい)' refers to 'shellfish', a broad category of aquatic creatures with shells, such as clams, oysters, and scallops. This word is commonly used in contexts related to seafood, marine biology, or even in idiomatic expressions. For example: I found a beautiful shellfish on the beach「浜辺で美しい貝を見つけた」(はまべでうつくしいかいをみつけた). Shellfish are delicious「貝は美味しい」(かいはおいしい). In some cases, '貝' can also refer to the shells themselves, especially when discussing their use in crafts or decorations.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    7

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    1

    Frequency

    1475

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Eye

    kanji

    Meaning

    Eight

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 38 other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Buy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lend, Loan

    kanji

    Meaning

    Member

    kanji

    Meaning

    Quality

    kanji

    Meaning

    Praise, Agree

    kanji

    Meaning

    Blame, Liability

    kanji

    Meaning

    Expense

    kanji

    Meaning

    Defeat

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rule

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rent, Fare

    kanji

    Meaning

    Defeat

    kanji

    Meaning

    Capital, Resources

    kanji

    Meaning

    Precious

    kanji

    Meaning

    Goods, Freight

    kanji

    Meaning

    Poor

    kanji

    Meaning

    Prize

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wealth

    kanji

    Meaning

    Savings

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sell

    kanji

    Meaning

    Present, Presents

    kanji

    Meaning

    Purchase, Subscription

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bribe, Provide

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wise, Clever

    kanji

    Meaning

    Tribute

    kanji

    Meaning

    Congratulate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Chain

    kanji

    Meaning

    Compensate, Compensation

    kanji

    Meaning

    Chastity

    kanji

    Meaning

    Pierce, Sushi counter

    kanji

    Meaning

    Levy, Installment

    kanji

    Meaning

    Robber, Rebel

    kanji

    Meaning

    Guest, Vip

    kanji

    Meaning

    Grant, Deign to give

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bribe

    kanji

    Meaning

    Gamble

    kanji

    Meaning

    Indulge in, Covet

    kanji

    Meaning

    Paste

    kanji

    Meaning

    Shamisen song

Words Using

This kanji is used in 1 word:

    word

    Meaning

    Shellfish

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 23 kanji contain the part 目 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    See

    kanji

    Meaning

    Straight, Repair

    kanji

    Meaning

    Self

    kanji

    Meaning

    Calculate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Prefecture

    kanji

    Meaning

    Arrive, Wear

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mutual

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ministry, Conserve

    kanji

    Meaning

    Tool

    kanji

    Meaning

    Coach, Supervise

    kanji

    Meaning

    Shield

    kanji

    Meaning

    Watch

    kanji

    Meaning

    Eyeball

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sleep, Sleepy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Blink, Flash

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sleep, Drowsy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Blind

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stare, Look out over

    kanji

    Meaning

    Risk

    kanji

    Meaning

    Eyebrows

    kanji

    Meaning

    Pupil

    kanji

    Meaning

    Clear

    kanji

    Meaning

    Friendly

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 16 kanji contain the part 八 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Six

    kanji

    Meaning

    Small

    kanji

    Meaning

    Red

    kanji

    Meaning

    Father

    kanji

    Meaning

    Head

    kanji

    Meaning

    Face

    kanji

    Meaning

    Minute, Part

    kanji

    Meaning

    Yellow

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ship

    kanji

    Meaning

    Public

    kanji

    Meaning

    Together

    kanji

    Meaning

    Command, Proportion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Code, Rule

    kanji

    Meaning

    Soldier

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hole

    kanji

    Meaning

    Take in, Vicarious

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 貝 mean?

貝 means 'Shellfish'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in First Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N2 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.