Japanese word

イカ

Pronunciation

Romajiika

Meaning

  • nounsquid

Example

私はイカが好きです。watashi wa i ka ga su ki de su

I like squid.

Illustration for イカ (squid)

More examples

この店では新鮮なイカを使っています。ko no mise de wa shin sen na i ka o tsuka tte i ma su

This restaurant uses fresh squid.

Core concept

Refers to a marine mollusk with a soft body and tentacles, especially the animal commonly served as food.

Common phrases

  • 新鮮なイカshin sen na i ka

    fresh squid

  • イカを買うi ka o ka u

    buy squid

  • イカの天ぷらi ka no ten pu ra

    squid tempura

Definition in Japanese

軟らかな体といくつもの腕を備え、海中にすむ動物。yawa ra ka na karada to i ku tsu mo no ude o sona e kai chū ni su mu dō butsu

Word origin

The word イカ (ika, "squid") belongs to the native Japanese vocabulary and is attested in Old Japanese, while its earlier source remains unknown.

Usage tips

  • English separates squid and cuttlefish as different names, but Japanese イカ (ika) is a broader everyday term that can cover both kinds.

Other meanings

  • cuttlefishnoun

Word lists with this word