蚶 (hān) - Blood clam — a type of edible marine

蚶Tone 1

hān ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

蚶 · hān

Blood clam — a type of edible marine bivalve mollusk, particularly the ark shell or blood clam known for its red flesh.

Blood clam — a type of edible marine

Usage highlights

blood clamsteamed blood clamark shellclam shellfresh clamsclam meat

Synonyms

  • 蛤— clam (general term)
  • 蚌— freshwater mussel

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • We ordered steamed blood clams (蒸蚶) at the seafood restaurant.
  • The market sells fresh ark shells (蚶子).
  • Blood clam sashimi is popular in some regions (蚶生).
  • The shells of these clams are thick and ribbed (蚶壳).

Collocations

  • blood clam(血蚶)
  • steamed blood clam(蒸蚶)
  • ark shell(泥蚶)
  • clam shell(蚶壳)
  • fresh clams(鲜蚶)
  • clam meat(蚶肉)

Idioms

  • As numerous as clam shells(蚶壳般众多)
  • Hard as an ark shell(坚如蚶壳)
  • Clam shell fortune telling(蚶卜)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Blood clams are considered a delicacy in coastal regions of China, especially during Lunar New Year for their red color symbolizing prosperity.
  • In ancient times, clam shells were sometimes used in divination practices.
  • The character combines the insect radical 虫 with the phonetic component 甘, reflecting its classification as a shelled creature.

FAQ