Translation guide
Describes a mollusk with a single, usually spiral shell, like a snail or conch. In Japanese, this is typically expressed with specific nouns or descriptive phrases.
The learner wants to refer to a univalve as a type of shellfish or mollusk.
The standard, everyday word for a univalve or snail-like shellfish. Literally 'rolled shell'.
海岸で小さな巻貝を拾った。
I picked up a small univalve on the beach.
Literally 'single-shell shellfish'. Used in biological contexts to contrast with bivalves (二枚貝). Less common in daily conversation.
一枚貝と二枚貝の違いを学んだ。
I learned the difference between univalves and bivalves.
Scientific term for univalves, used in taxonomy. Not for everyday use.
単殻類の進化について研究している。
I'm researching the evolution of univalves.
The learner wants to name a particular kind of univalve, like a conch or whelk.
Turban shell, a common edible univalve in Japan. Often used as a representative example.
サザエのつぼ焼きは美味しい。
Grilled turban shell is delicious.
Conch shell, often used as a horn. Also refers to the instrument made from it.
Whelk, a type of edible sea snail. Often written in katakana.
バイ貝の煮付けを作った。
I made simmered whelk.
In Japanese, it's often more natural to use the specific name of the shellfish (like サザエ or アワビ) rather than the generic term 巻貝, especially in culinary contexts.
法螺貝を吹いて合図を送った。
They blew a conch shell to signal.