Translation guide
The Japanese scallop is a specific species of scallop commonly eaten in Japan. This guide covers how to refer to it in Japanese, including common names, culinary contexts, and scientific terminology.
Referring to the Japanese scallop as a living creature or as a food ingredient, especially in everyday conversation or menus.
The most common and versatile word for scallop in Japanese, used for both the live animal and the food. Often written in kanji or katakana (ホタテ).
北海道は帆立の産地です。
Hokkaido is a production area for scallops.
今夜は帆立のバター焼きにしよう。
Let's have scallops sautéed in butter tonight.
Literally 'scallop shellfish', this term explicitly refers to the animal itself, often in biological or fisheries contexts.
ホタテガイの養殖が盛んです。
Scallop aquaculture is thriving.
An archaic or poetic name for scallop, rarely used in modern Japanese. Might appear in classical literature or local dialects.
板屋貝は古い文献に見られます。
Itayagai is found in old documents.
When you need to specify the exact species Mizuhopecten yessoensis, for example in academic or technical writing.
The standard Japanese name for the Japanese scallop species, often used in scientific contexts. 'Ezo' is an old name for Hokkaido.
エゾホタテガイは北海道周辺に分布しています。
The Japanese scallop is distributed around Hokkaido.
The scientific name, used in formal research papers. Not for everyday conversation.
学名はMizuhopecten yessoensisです。
The scientific name is Mizuhopecten yessoensis.
Ordering or buying scallops, where specific cuts or preparations might be named.
Simply 'hotate' is sufficient for most menu items. Often seen as ホタテ.
帆立の刺身をください。
I'll have the scallop sashimi, please.
Refers specifically to the adductor muscle (the large white part), which is the main edible portion. Often used for sashimi or sushi.
貝柱の天ぷらが絶品です。
The scallop adductor muscle tempura is exquisite.
The frilled mantle (the 'skirt') of the scallop, often served as a separate dish. Can be an acquired taste.
帆立のヒモの酢の物が好きです。
I like the vinegared scallop mantle.
In everyday writing (menus, supermarkets), ホタテ (katakana) is extremely common. 帆立 is also widely used. Both are correct and interchangeable.
In English, 'scallop' can refer to various species. In Japan, ホタテ almost always means the Japanese scallop. If you need to distinguish from other species (e.g., Atlantic sea scallop), you may need to specify エゾホタテガイ or use the scientific name.