ヌマエビ (ぬまえび) Japanese meaning | KotomoraMeanings
1
noun
Paratya compressa (freshwater shrimp)
usually written using kana alone
A small freshwater shrimp native to Japan, often found in streams and ponds. The scientific name is Paratya compressa.
Rare kanji form using 蝦 for 'shrimp'.
Kanji
老old man, old age, grow old
Similar words
- エビ
General term for shrimp/prawn; ヌマエビ is a specific freshwater species.
- テナガエビ
Another freshwater shrimp (Macrobrachium species), larger and with long claws, unlike the small Paratya compressa.
Etymology
Compound of 沼 (numa, 'marsh, swamp') and エビ (ebi, 'shrimp'), referring to its freshwater habitat.
