Translation guide
In Japanese, the way you refer to a fish dealer depends on the context: a shop, a person, or a wholesaler. The most common terms are 魚屋 for a retail fish shop or fishmonger, and 魚市場 for a wholesale fish market. For a person who sells fish, 魚屋さん is natural in conversation.
A store that sells fresh fish to consumers, or the person running it.
The standard word for a fish shop or fishmonger. Can refer to both the store and the person.
あの魚屋は新鮮な魚を売っている。
That fish dealer sells fresh fish.
魚屋で刺身を買った。
I bought sashimi at the fish shop.
Polite or friendly way to refer to the fishmonger as a person. Often used when addressing them directly.
魚屋さん、今日のおすすめは何ですか？
Fishmonger, what do you recommend today?
Formal term for a fresh fish shop, often used in business names or signs.
駅前に新しい鮮魚店がオープンした。
A new fresh fish shop opened in front of the station.
A business that buys fish in bulk from fishermen and sells to retailers or restaurants.
Refers to a wholesale fish market. The dealer operating there is often called 魚市場の仲買人.
魚市場で競りが行われている。
An auction is taking place at the fish market.
Literally 'fish wholesaler'. A more descriptive term for a wholesale fish dealer.
彼は魚の卸売業者として働いている。
He works as a fish wholesaler.
Any individual whose job is selling fish, regardless of setting.
Simple, neutral phrase meaning 'person who sells fish'. Safe when you don't know the specific term.
市場には魚を売る人がたくさんいる。
There are many fish dealers at the market.
As above, can refer to the person. Use with さん for politeness.
魚屋のおじさんが魚のさばき方を教えてくれた。
The fishmonger taught me how to fillet a fish.
The English phrase 'fish dealer' does not have a single direct equivalent. Using 魚商人 (sakana shōnin) is possible but sounds old-fashioned or literary. Stick to 魚屋 for everyday use.
When referring to the person, adding さん (e.g., 魚屋さん) makes it polite and friendly. This is common in conversation.
A middleman or broker at a fish market. Specifically refers to the person who buys at auction and resells.
仲買人が魚市場で魚を仕入れている。
The middleman is purchasing fish at the wholesale market.