sea cucumber
Refers to the marine animal; sometimes translated as 'sea slug' in anglicized haiku, but biologically distinct from nudibranchs (sea slugs).
See also: ウミウシ (うみうし)
Sea cucumbers move slowly along the ocean floor.
In this region, they eat sea cucumber as a vinegared dish.
Holothuria decorata (sea cucumber species)
selling sea cucumbers; sea cucumber vendor
Katakana spelling is common in biological and culinary contexts; the word is usually written in kana.
Hiragana spelling; also common and interchangeable with katakana.
Kanji form is rare and literary; the reading なまこ is a jukujikun.
The kanji 海鼠 literally means 'sea mouse', likely from the animal's shape. The reading なまこ is a jukujikun, and its origin is uncertain.