Japanese word

魚

Pronunciation

Romajisakana

Meaning

  • nounfish

Example

魚が好きです。sakana ga su ki de su

I like fish.

Illustration for 魚 (fish)

More examples

池に魚がいます。ike ni sakana ga i ma su

There are fish in the pond.

スーパーで新鮮な魚を買います。sū pā de shin sen na sakana o ka i ma su

I buy fresh fish at the supermarket.

Core concept

Covers the general category of finned animals that live in water and can also be treated as food.

Common phrases

  • 魚を食べるsakana o ta be ru

    eat fish

  • 魚が好きsakana ga su ki

    like fish

  • 魚を買うsakana o ka u

    buy fish

  • 魚を焼くsakana o ya ku

    grill fish

  • 魚料理sakana ryō ri

    fish dishes

Definition in Japanese

水中で生活し、ひれを用いて泳ぐ脊椎動物。食用となるその肉。sui chū de sei katsu shi hi re o mochi i te oyo gu seki tsui dō butsu shoku yō to na ru so no niku

Word origin

The Japanese word 魚 (sakana) is traditionally linked to 酒菜 (sakana, "food served with sake"), an older expression for a dish eaten with sake.

Usage tips

  • The word 魚 (sakana) is useful in simple meal conversations because it can refer to fish in general without requiring the speaker to name a particular species.

Word lists with this word