Translation guide
A specific fish species native to East Asia, known for its sweet-tasting flesh and cultural significance in Japan. The Japanese word is 鮎 (あゆ).
sweetfish
The common Japanese name for the fish Plecoglossus altivelis.
Referring to the fish itself, in culinary, ecological, or cultural contexts.
Sweetfish (ayu) is a beloved summer delicacy in Japan, often grilled with salt and eaten whole. It is also associated with traditional cormorant fishing (鵜飼い, ukai) and is a popular subject in haiku and poetry.
In summer, you can catch a lot of sweetfish in this river.
Salt-grilled sweetfish is exquisite.
A literary or poetic name for sweetfish, literally 'fragrant fish', referring to its characteristic aroma. Rarely used in everyday speech.
The scent of sweetfish drifts over the river surface.
Another literary name, meaning 'year fish', because sweetfish live for only one year. Very rare.
The life of a sweetfish is short.