ミルガイ

ミ

ル

ガ

イ

Meanings

mirugai clam; gaper clam (Tresus keenae)

usually written using kana alone

A species of large saltwater clam found in Japan; often used in sushi and sashimi. The name is sometimes associated with the seaweed 海松 (miru).

Kanji

海sea, ocean
松pine tree
貝shellfish
水water

Related words

海松みる
A type of seaweed; the name ミルガイ may derive from its resemblance to this seaweed.
貝かい
General term for shellfish; ミルガイ is a specific type of clam.

Built from

ミル+貝かい

Written forms

ミルガイUsage40%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is common for this species name; usually written in kana.
みる貝がいUsage60%
Mixed kanji-kana spelling; rarely used.
みるがい
Hiragana spelling; also common.
海松みる貝がい
Kanji spelling using 海松 (miru, a type of seaweed) and 貝 (shellfish); rarely used.
水松貝みるがい
Variant kanji spelling; rarely used.

Etymology

Usually written 海松貝 or 水松貝, from 海松, a marine alga, and 貝, “shellfish.” The name is associated with the resemblance of the clam’s exposed siphon to 海松.