貝
Shell, Shellfish
かい (kai)
JLPT N5
Interesting Fact
The kanji 貝 means shell or shellfish. In ancient times, shells were used as currency in Asia, which is why 貝 appears in many money-related kanji.
Memory Trick
Imagine opening a seashell and finding something valuable inside.
Readings
Onyomi: バイ (bai)
Kunyomi: かい (kai)
Example Words
貝
かい (kai)
Shell
貝殻
かいがら (kaigara)
Seashell
貝類
かいるい (kairui)
Shellfish
赤貝
あかがい (akagai)
Ark shell
Example Sentence
海で貝を拾いました。
うみ で かい を ひろいました。
umi de kai o hiroimashita
I picked up a shell at the beach.