Exploring the Fascinating World of Fish in the Japanese Language

Do you know the names of fish in Japanese? Looking to expand your vocabulary with the language? I propose we explore the fascinating world of fish in Japanese?

Japan is a country surrounded by waters with a rich history and culture linked to the ocean. With a diet based on seafood, the Japanese have developed a broad and diverse vocabulary related to fish.

In this article, we will explore different ways to refer to fish in Japanese, discuss some of the most common types of fish, and finally provide a comprehensive list of fish-related words, organized by category. Dive with us into this fascinating aquatic world!

We also recommend reading:

• Names of Animals in Japanese – Doubutsu
• Names and Types of Meats and Fish in Japanese
• The 10 Most Consumed Types of Fish in Japan

How to Say Fish in Japanese

The Japanese often have different ways to refer to a single thing; see below some words that can be used to refer to fish in Japanese:

魚 (さかな, Sakana) – Fish

The most common word for “fish” in Japanese is 魚 (さかな, Sakana). This word is used both to refer to fish in general and to a specific fish, depending on the context.

The word 魚 is composed of the water radical (氵) on the left side and the right part (与) which represents a fish with its tail down. This combination suggests the meaning of “fish” as an aquatic being.

魚類 (ぎょるい, Gyorui) – Fish (plural)

When referring to fish as a group, we can use the word 魚類 (ぎょるい, Gyorui), which means “fish” in the plural sense. This word is useful when talking about a variety of species of fish or about fish in general.

Other Ways to Say Fish

海の幸 (うみのさち, Umi no sachi) – Literally means “blessings of the sea,” used to refer to seafood, including fish, shellfish, and other edible marine animals.

水生動物 (すいせいどうぶつ, Suisei dōbutsu) – Refers to aquatic animals in general, including fish, but also encompasses other living beings that inhabit water, such as amphibians, crustaceans, and mollusks.

魚介類 (ぎょかいるい, Gyokairui) – Refers to seafood in general, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.

海産物 (かいさんぶつ, Kaisanbutsu) – Refers to marine products, which can include fish and other seafood, as well as seaweed and other marine resources.

魚屋 (さかなや, Sakana-ya) – Means “fish market” or “fish seller,” where fish and other seafood are sold.

Fish Vocabulary in Japanese

Now let’s look at some words in Japanese related to fish:

Parts of a Fish:

• 魚の頭 (さかなのあたま, Sakana no atama) – Fish head
• 鱗 (うろこ, Uroko) – Scales
• 背鰭 (せびれ, Sebire) – Dorsal fin
• 腹鰭 (ふくびれ, Fukubire) – Pectoral fin
• 尾鰭 (おびれ, Obire) – Caudal fin

Fish at Different Stages of Growth:

• 幼魚 (ようぎょ, Yōgyo) – Young fish or fry
• 稚魚 (ちぎょ, Chigyo) – Immature or juvenile fish
• 成魚 (せいぎょ, Seigyo) – Adult fish

Specific Species of Fish:

• 鯖 (さば, Saba) – Mackerel
• 鰹 (かつお, Katsuo) – Bonito
• 鯵 (あじ, Aji) – Horse mackerel
• 鰈 (かれい, Karei) – Flounder
• 鰯 (いわし, Iwashi) – Sardine

Other Fish-Related Words:

• 水族館 (すいぞくかん, Suizokukan) – Aquarium
• 漁業 (ぎょぎょう, Gyogyo) – Fishing industry
• 漁師 (りょうし, Ryōshi) – Fisherman
• 魚市場 (うおいちば, Uoichiba) – Fish market

Types and Species of Fish in Japanese

Types of Fish:

• 骨魚類 (こつぎょるい, Kotsugyorui) – Bony fish
• 軟骨魚類 (なんこつぎょるい, Nankotsugyorui) – Cartilaginous fish
• 熱帯魚 (ねったいぎょ, Nettai-gyo) – Tropical fish
• 淡水魚 (たんすいぎょ, Tansui-gyo) – Freshwater fish
• 海水魚 (かいすいぎょ, Kaisui-gyo) – Saltwater fish
• 飛び魚類 (とびぎょるい, Tobigyorui) – Flying fish
• 深海魚 (しんかいぎょ, Shinkaigyo) – Deep-sea fish
• 外来魚 (がいらいぎょ, Gairaigyo) – Exotic or invasive fish

Species of Fish:

• 鮭 (さけ, Sake) – Salmon
• 鯛 (たい, Tai) – Red snapper
• 鰤 (ぶり, Buri) – Yellowtail
• 鯖 (さば, Saba) – Mackerel
• 鰹 (かつお, Katsuo) – Bonito
• 鯵 (あじ, Aji) – Horse mackerel
• 鰈 (かれい, Karei) – Flounder
• 鰯 (いわし, Iwashi) – Sardine
• 鰺 (あじ, Aji) – Jack mackerel
• 鱸 (すずき, Suzuki) – Sea bass
• 鮪 (まぐろ, Maguro) – Tuna
• 鮎 (あゆ, Ayu) – Sweetfish
• 鰻 (うなぎ, Unagi) – Eel
• 鱚 (きす, Kisu) – Whiting
• 鯖 (さば, Saba) – Mackerel
• 鰊 (にしん, Nishin) – Herring
• 鯔 (ぼら, Bora) – Mullet
• 鮫 (さめ, Same) – Shark
• 鱶 (ふか, Fuka) – Greenland shark
• 鯱 (しゃち, Shachi) – Orca
• 鰐 (わに, Wani) – Saltwater crocodile
• 鮟鱇 (あんこう, Ankou) – Anglerfish
• 魟 (ひらまさ, Hiramasa) – Yellowtail kingfish
• 鯨 (くじら, Kujira) – Whale
• 鰆 (さわら, Sawara) – Spanish mackerel
• 鯰 (なまず, Namazu) – Catfish
• 真鯛 (まだい, Madai) – Japanese red snapper
• 鰤 (ぶり, Buri) – Japanese yellowtail
• 鮃 (ひらめ, Hirame) – Flounder
• 鱚 (きす, Kisu) – Pacific whiting
• 鯖 (さば, Saba) – Mackerel
• 鮟鱇 (あんこう, Ankou) – Anglerfish
• 鯰 (なまず, Namazu) – Catfish
• 鰰 (はたはた, Hatahata) – Japanese sandfish
• 鯰 (なまず, Namazu) – Catfish
• 鰡 (ぼら, Bora) – Grey mullet
• 鰍 (どじょう, Dojou) – Loach
• 鱒 (ます, Masu) – Trout
• 鯉 (こい, Koi) – Carp
• 鰌 (どじょう, Dojou) – Loach

Other Aquatic Beings:

• 貝 (かい, Kai) – Mollusks
• 海老 (えび, Ebi) – Shrimp
• 蟹 (かに, Kani) – Crab
• イカ (いか, Ika) – Squid
• タコ (たこ, Tako) – Octopus
• クラゲ (くらげ, Kurage) – Jellyfish
• マンボウ (まんぼう, Manbou) – Sunfish
• ネンブツダイ (ねんぶつだい, Nenbutsudai) – Parrotfish
• ダツ (だつ, Datsu) – Lionfish
• ナンヨウハギ (なんようはぎ, Nanyouhagi) – Surgeonfish
• クリオネ (くりおね, Kurione) – Clione, also known as sea angel
• アワビ (あわび, Awabi) – Abalone
• サンゴ (さんご, Sango) – Coral
• ウミウシ (うみうし, Umiushi) – Nudibranch
• ウミガメ (うみがめ, Umigame) – Sea turtle
• ウミヘビ (うみへび, Umihebi) – Sea snake
• イルカ (いるか, Iruka) – Dolphin
• マナティ (まなてぃ, Manati) – Manatee
• ペンギン (ぺんぎん, Pengin) – Penguin
• ウツボ (うつぼ, Utsubo) – Moorish idol
• オットセイ (おっとせい, Ottosei) – Sea lion
• アザラシ (あざらし, Azarashi) – Seal
• ミズクラゲ (みずくらげ, Mizukurage) – Freshwater jellyfish
• ウミユリ (うみゆり, Umiyuri) – Sea lily
• ウミタナゴ (うみたなご, Umitanago) – Pipefish