Translation guide
In Japanese, 'small fish' can refer to various types of small fish, often used in cooking or as bait. The most common general term is 小魚 (こざかな), but specific names like 雑魚 (ざこ) or イワシ (いわし) are used depending on context.
Referring to small fish in general, often as food or bait.
The standard word for small fish, commonly used in cooking contexts.
I fried and ate small fish.
Refers to small, often mixed, low-value fish. Can also mean 'small fry' figuratively.
A more technical term for small fish species, used in biology or fisheries.
I am researching the ecology of small fish species.
Referring to particular types of small fish commonly eaten in Japan.
Sardine, a very common small fish in Japanese cuisine.
I like simmered sardines.
Baby sardines or whitebait, often eaten raw or boiled.
Small horse mackerel, often used for frying or sashimi.
I made marinated fried small horse mackerel.
Using small fish as bait for fishing.
小魚 (こざかな) is a neutral term for small fish, often used in cooking. 雑魚 (ざこ) implies a mix of small, low-value fish and can be used metaphorically to mean 'small fry' or 'insignificant person'.
Small fish are rich in calcium.
He was treated like a nobody.
The fisherman threw the small fish back into the sea.
I eat shirasu on top of rice.