A reciprocating compressor provided with an opening degree adjusting valve for adjusting the degree of opening of a suction path, the reciprocating compressor being configured in such a manner that the mounting of the opening degree adjusting valve is facilitated, a sufficient area of the path is secured near the outlet hole of the opening degree adjusting valve, the flow rates of a refrigerant introduced into cylinder bores in a suction stoke are made uniform, and a suction chamber is caused to function as a muffler to optimize the configuration of the opening degree adjusting valve in terms of a reduction in the pulsation of suction pressure. A reciprocating compressor comprises: a cylinder block having cylinder bores formed therein; a valve plate provided in such a manner that one end surface thereof faces one end of the cylinder block and having formed therein pairs of suction holes and discharge holes, each pair of the suction hole and the discharge hole being formed so as to face each cylinder bore; and a cylinder head provided so as to face the other end surface of the valve plate, the cylinder head having an annular discharge chamber which is formed in a surface of the cylinder head, said surface facing the other end surface of the valve plate, the cylinder head also having a column-like suction chamber which is provided on the inside radially of the discharge chamber. A suction path which extends from the suction chamber and connects to an external refrigerant circuit and a discharge path which extends from the discharge chamber and connects to the external refrigerant circuit are formed in the cylinder head. The reciprocating compressor also comprises an opening degree adjusting valve provided with an inlet hole which connects to the suction path, and also with an outlet hole which communicates with the suction chamber, and the opening degree adjusting valve adjusts the degree of opening of the suction path.