Nuance & Usage
魚 means fish both as a living creature and as food. In Japan, fish is a staple food and an essential part of the cuisine — from 刺身 (sashimi) to 焼き魚 (yakizakana — grilled fish). Related words: 魚屋 (sakanaya — fish shop/fishmonger), 金魚 (kingyo — goldfish), 魚介類 (gyokairui — seafood). The kanji can also be read as うお (uo) in some compounds, which is the older/more formal reading.
Common Mistakes
The counter for fish (alive, swimming) is 匹 (hiki), same as other small animals: 三匹の魚 (sanbiki no sakana — three fish). But for fish as food portions, you might use 切れ (kire — a piece/slice): 魚を一切れ (a piece of fish). Also, don't confuse 魚 (sakana — fish) with 肉 (niku — meat) when ordering — asking 魚料理 (sakana ryouri) specifies fish dishes.
Example Sentences (3)
日本人は魚をよく食べます。
にほんじんはさかなをよくたべます。
Japanese people eat a lot of fish.
この魚はとても新鮮ですね。
このさかなはとてもしんせんですね。
This fish is very fresh, isn't it?
肉と魚、どちらが好きですか？
にくとさかな、どちらがすきですか？
Which do you prefer, meat or fish?
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
N54 questionsTest your knowledge of 魚 with 4 different question types.
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