Translation guide
The English word 'fish' can refer to the animal, its meat as food, or the activity of fishing. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Referring to fish as living animals, in water or in general.
The most common word for fish as an animal. Used in everyday conversation.
There are many fish in the pond.
Fish breathe through gills.
Scientific or formal term for fish as a biological group.
Fish are a type of vertebrate.
Referring to fish meat used in cooking or eating.
Same word as the animal, but context makes it clear you mean food. Often used with cooking verbs.
Today's dinner is fish.
I grilled and ate fish.
Specifically raw fish sliced for eating, a common Japanese dish.
Grilled fish, a common home-cooked dish.
Referring to the act of catching fish as a hobby or job.
The general word for fishing as an activity. Used with verb する (to fish).
I go fishing on weekends.
My father's hobby is fishing.
Fishing as an industry or large-scale catching, often used in compounds like 漁業 (fishing industry).
Literally 'fish fishing', sometimes used to specify fishing for fish (as opposed to other sea creatures), but 釣り alone is more common.
The action of trying to catch fish.
魚 refers to the animal or food, while 釣り refers to the activity. Saying 'I like fish' as 釣りが好きです means 'I like fishing', not 'I like eating fish'.
Use 匹 (ひき) for small to medium live fish, and 尾 (び) for larger or formal contexts. For food, use 切れ (きれ) for slices or pieces.
新鮮な刺身が大好きです。
I love fresh sashimi.
I eat grilled fish for breakfast.
This town makes a living from fishing.
I often went fishing as a child.
I caught a big fish.