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べっ甲 (べっこう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

べっ甲こう

べ

っ

こ

う

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

noun

tortoiseshell (hawksbill turtle)

Refers to the shell of the hawksbill turtle (タイマイ), used for ornaments and crafts.

See also: タイマイ

この眼鏡めがねのフレームはべっ甲こうでできている。
The frame of these glasses is made of tortoiseshell.

2

noun

tortoiseshell (Chinese soft-shelled turtle)

Used in Chinese medicine; specifically from the shell of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (スッポン).

See also:

Written forms

べっ甲こうUsage20%
Standard mixed kanji-kana spelling.
鼈べっ甲こうUsage40%
Full kanji form; the first character is uncommon and may not display correctly on all devices.
べっこうUsage24%
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing.
ベッコウUsage

漢かん方ぽうでは、スッポンのべっ甲こうが用もちいられることがある。
In Chinese medicine, tortoiseshell from the soft-shelled turtle is sometimes used.

17%

Kanji

甲armor, high (voice), A grade
鼈snapping turtle, fresh-water turtle

Similar words

タイマイ
The hawksbill turtle itself; べっ甲 refers to its shell.
スッポン
The Chinese soft-shelled turtle; its shell is also called べっ甲 in medicinal contexts.

Etymology

From the reading of 鼈 (べつ, a type of turtle) and 甲 (こう, shell), with the first character's reading contracted to べっ.