Japanese word

うなぎ

Pronunciation

Romajiunagi

Meaning

  • nouneel

Example

父はうなぎが好きです。chichi wa u na gi ga su ki de su

My father likes eel.

Illustration for うなぎ (eel)

More examples

夏になると、うなぎを食べる人が増えます。natsu ni na ru to u na gi o ta be ru hito ga fu e ma su

In summer, more people eat eel.

Core concept

Describes a long-bodied fish associated with rivers, coastal waters, and food dishes.

Common phrases

  • うなぎを食べるu na gi o ta be ru

    eat eel

  • うなぎを焼くu na gi o ya ku

    grill eel

  • うなぎの蒲焼きu na gi no kaba ya ki

    eel kabayaki

Definition in Japanese

体が細長く、ぬるぬるした魚で、料理の材料となるもの。karada ga hoso naga ku nu ru nu ru shi ta sakana de ryō ri no zai ryō to na ru mo no

Word origin

The formation of the native Japanese word うなぎ (unagi, "eel") is uncertain, but its kanji spelling 鰻 (unagi, "eel") uses 魚 (uo, "fish") and 曼 (man) for its sound.

Usage tips

  • On English-language menus, unagi often names grilled eel served with a sweet soy-based sauce, so it can refer to a prepared dish as well as the fish.

Word lists with this word