Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

ウラウズガイ (うらうずがい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

ウラウズガイ

Meanings

1

noun

Astralium haematragum (species of turban shell)

usually written using kana alone

Scientific name for a marine gastropod; primarily used in biological or shell-collecting contexts.

ウラウズガイは、潮ちょう間かん帯たいの岩いわ場ばで見みられる巻まき貝がいの一いっ種しゅです。
The Astralium haematragum is a type of sea snail found on rocky shores in the intertidal zone.

Written forms

ウラウズガイ
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is standard for this species name; the kanji form 裏渦貝 is rare and mainly used in taxonomic contexts.
裏うら渦うず貝がい
Kanji spelling is uncommon; the word is usually written in kana.

Kanji

裏back, amidst, in
渦whirlpool, eddy, vortex
貝

shellfish

Etymology

The name is composed of 裏 (ura, 'back/reverse') + 渦 (uzu, 'whorl/swirl') + 貝 (kai, 'shell'), likely referring to the shell's shape. The exact derivation is uncertain.