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.
That fish dealer sells fresh fish.
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.
Fishmonger, what do you recommend today?
Formal term for a fresh fish shop, often used in business names or signs.
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.
Any individual whose job is selling fish, regardless of setting.
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.
He works as a fish wholesaler.
A middleman or broker at a fish market. Specifically refers to the person who buys at auction and resells.
The middleman is purchasing fish at the wholesale market.
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.