shell

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: No on reading is listed, and the kun reading is かい. It has 7 strokes and relates to shellfish and shells.
• Basic usage: 貝 is read かい, and 貝殻 is read かいがら.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 貝 / 貝殻
  • 貝 means shellfish or shell. It is a noun read かい. Depending on context, it can mean a living shellfish or its shell.
  • 砂浜で色のきれいな貝を拾いました。 means “I picked up a beautifully colored shell on the beach.”
  • 貝殻 means seashell. It is a noun read かいがら. It specifically refers to the hard outer shell, often an empty seashell.
  • 砂浜で白い貝殻を拾った。 means “I picked up a white seashell on the beach.”