Japanese word

えび

Pronunciation

Romajiebi

Meaning

  • nounshrimp

Example

このえびはおいしいです。ko no e bi wa o i shi i de su

This shrimp is delicious.

Illustration for えび (shrimp)

More examples

今日はえびを使って、簡単なサラダを作ります。kyō wa e bi o tsuka tte kan tan na sa ra da o tsuku ri ma su

Today, I will make a simple salad using shrimp.

Core concept

Refers to an aquatic, many-legged crustacean with a flexible body that is commonly used as food.

Common phrases

  • えびの天ぷらe bi no ten pu ra

    shrimp tempura

  • えびを焼くe bi o ya ku

    grill shrimp

Definition in Japanese

海や川にすみ、細長い体と殻を持つ甲殻類で、食用にされるもの。umi ya kawa ni su mi hoso naga i karada to kara o mo tsu kō kaku rui de shoku yō ni sa re ru mo no

Word origin

The origin of えび (ebi) is uncertain; 海老 (ebi) and 蝦 (ebi) are kanji spellings used for the native Japanese word, not its original source.

Usage tips

  • In English, shrimp and prawn can name similar seafood, and the preferred word varies by region, while Japanese えび (ebi) commonly covers both.

Other meanings

  • lobsternoun

Word lists with this word