Translation guide
The English word "fishy" has two main uses: a literal meaning related to fish, and a figurative meaning describing something suspicious. This guide helps learners express both naturally in Japanese.
Expressing that a situation, story, or person seems suspicious, questionable, or not trustworthy.
The most common and versatile word for 'suspicious' or 'dubious.' Can describe people, situations, or things that seem untrustworthy or shady.
That story sounds a bit fishy.
A suspicious person was lurking around the house.
Stronger than 怪しい, implying something smells fishy or seems shady. Often used for people or deals that feel untrustworthy.
That salesman seems really fishy.
Literally 'it doesn't sit well in my gut.' Used when something doesn't add up or feels off, similar to 'something's fishy.'
His explanation just doesn't add up; it's fishy.
Slangy, literally 'stinks.' Used like 'that's fishy' in very casual speech. Can be rude if used about a person.
Can sound rough or accusatory. Use only among close friends.
That's fishy, man.
Describing food, water, or an odor that has a fish-like taste or smell.
Describes a strong fishy or raw seafood smell/taste. Commonly used for fish markets, fishy-tasting water, or the smell of fish cooking.
This water tastes a bit fishy.
Literally 'has the taste of fish.' A neutral way to say something tastes fishy.
This tofu tastes fishy.
Directly 'fish-smelling.' Less common than 生臭い but still used.
My hands smell fishy.
怪しい is the standard word for 'suspicious' and can be used in most contexts. 胡散臭い is more colloquial and implies a gut feeling that something is shady or not to be trusted. It often carries a nuance of distaste.
His excuse is suspicious.
That store seems really fishy/shady.
The word 魚っぽい (sakanappoi) means 'fish-like' in a literal sense (e.g., a fish-like creature). It is not used for the figurative meaning of 'fishy' (suspicious). Using it that way would cause confusion.
There's something fishy about that deal.
This milk smells fishy.
The kitchen is full of a fishy smell.