Kai ni Naru (貝になる - Saying Nothing)

I often do "kai ni naru" (貝になる).

The "kai" (貝) means "shellfish," the "naru" (なる) means "become/be," so the literal meaning of "kai ni naru" is to become a shellfish.

Since shellfishes close their shells tightly, it's hard to open them.

Because of this, "kai ni naru" (becoming a shellfish) has come to mean to close your mouth and say nothing, just like a shellfish.

Incidentally, there is the Japanese movie and drama, titled "watashi ha kai ni naritai" (私は貝になりたい - I'd Rather Be a Shellfish).

I haven't watched them, but according to the Internet, the title "kai ni naritai" just literally means to want to be a shellfish living at the bottom of the sea.

貝になる

私は会議中、よく貝になります。

「貝」は "shell," 「なる」は "become" なので、「貝になる」の文字通りの意味は "to become a shell" です。

貝は硬い殻を閉ざして、なかなか開きません。

貝のように口を閉じ、口を開かない、すなわち発言をしないことを、「貝になる」と言います。

ちなみに、日本の映画・ドラマで「私は貝になりたい」というものがあります。

私はこの作品を見ていませんが、どうやらこのタイトルの「貝になりたい」は、純粋に海底に住む貝に生まれ変わりたいという意味のようです。

• Kai ni Naru (貝になる - Saying Nothing)
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

• I often do "kai ni naru" (貝になる).
• I often do what's called "kai ni naru" (貝になる).

  "what's called" is needed because "kai ni naru" is not a regular English verb.

• The "kai" (貝) means "shellfish," the "naru" (なる) means "become/be," so the literal meaning of "kai ni naru" is to become a shellfish.
• The "kai" (貝) means "shellfish," and the "naru" (なる) means "become/be," so the literal meaning of "kai ni naru" is to become a shellfish.

• Since shellfishes close their shells tightly, it's hard to open them.
• Since shellfishes close their shells tightly, it's hard to open them.

  "shellfish" is already plural.

• Because of this, "kai ni naru" (becoming a shellfish) has come to mean to close your mouth and say nothing, just like a shellfish.
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

• Incidentally, there is the Japanese movie and drama, titled "watashi ha kai ni naritai" (私は貝になりたい - I'd Rather Be a Shellfish).
• Incidentally, there is a Japanese movie and drama, titled "watashi wa kai ni naritai" (私は貝になりたい - I'd Rather Be a Shellfish).

  "a" is used when the listener does not necessarily know what you are talking about. "the" is used when the listener knows.

• I haven't watched them, but according to the Internet, the title "kai ni naritai" just literally means to want to be a shellfish living at the bottom of the sea.
• I haven't watched them, but according to the Internet, the title "kai ni naritai" just literally means to want to be a shellfish living at the bottom of the sea.

  Is the Japanese movie BOTH a movie and drama? In that case, this would be right.

面白いですね。