Translation guide
The hard outer covering that supports and protects the body of certain animals, such as insects, crustaceans, and some other invertebrates.
The rigid external covering found on arthropods, mollusks, etc.
The standard biological term for exoskeleton, used in scientific and educational contexts.
Insects have an exoskeleton.
General word for shell or hard outer covering, often used for mollusks, crustaceans, and eggs. Less technical than 外骨格.
A crab's shell is hard.
Refers specifically to the carapace or shell of crustaceans and turtles. Often used in compound words like 甲殻類 (crustaceans).
Crustaceans inhabit the sea in large numbers.
A rigid external structure used by humans, such as in robotics, armor, or powered suits.
外骨格 is the precise biological term, while 殻 is a more everyday word for shell. Use 外骨格 in academic or technical discussions; 殻 is fine for casual talk about crabs, insects, or eggs.
In biology we say 'exoskeleton', but in daily life 'shell' works.
Common term for powered exoskeleton suits in sci-fi and gaming.
He fought wearing a powered suit.
The robot is covered with a reinforced exoskeleton.