魚 — meaning in English: fish

sakana · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for fish

魚

sakana

ブーツ

buutsu

ドラフト

dorafuto

店舗

tenpo

オペラ

opera

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neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers commonly use the word 魚 (sakana) when discussing meals, particularly in restaurants or markets. For instance, if you're at a sushi restaurant, you might hear someone asking for different types of 魚 (sakana) to choose from or when shopping at a fish market, vendors may advertise their fresh 魚 (sakana) catches of the day.

Synonyms & nuances

While 魚 (sakana) refers to fish in general, the word 鮮魚 (sengyo) specifically means 'fresh fish' and is often used in culinary contexts. You would choose 魚 (sakana) for casual conversation, but opt for 鮮魚 (sengyo) when discussing high-quality seafood.

Culture

Interestingly, the kanji 魚 (sakana) is a representation of fish that dates back to ancient times, symbolizing abundance in Japanese culture. Fish holds a significant place in Japanese cuisine, especially in dishes like sushi and sashimi, which highlight the freshness and quality of the 魚 (sakana).

FAQ

Q.What is the correct pronunciation of 魚?

The correct pronunciation of 魚 is 'sakana' in Japanese, and it's a straightforward word that's often one of the first vocabulary items learners encounter.

Q.How do you use 魚 in a sentence?

You can use 魚 in a sentence like this: '今日は新鮮な魚を買いました' which translates to 'I bought fresh fish today.'

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 魚?

One common mistake is using 魚 (sakana) to refer to seafood in general. While it mainly means 'fish,' it's important to remember that seafood can include other items like shellfish, which have different names.

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