swimming crab; Japanese blue crab
Refers specifically to Portunus trituberculatus, a common edible crab in Japan. Often used in cooking contexts.
See also: ガザミ
Swimming crab is delicious when put in miso soup.
I bought live swimming crabs at the market.
Katakana spelling is common for this animal name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling; rarely used in practice.
Hiragana spelling, also common.
Abbreviated kanji spelling; rarely used.
From 渡り (wandering) + 蟹 (crab), referring to its migratory behavior. The exact derivation is uncertain.