Translation guide
The animal 'whale' is 鯨 (くじら) in Japanese. This entry covers the animal, its meat, and related expressions.
Referring to the marine mammal.
Referring to whale meat as food.
Using 'whale' to describe something very large.
Means 'like a whale', used to describe something huge.
That ship was as big as a whale.
Referring to a person who spends a lot of money, especially in gambling or entertainment.
While 'whale' can mean a big spender in English, the direct translation 鯨 is not used this way in Japanese. Use 太客 or 上客 instead.
He's a whale at the casino.
Whales are mammals.
Have you ever eaten whale sashimi?
あの人はうちの上客です。
That person is one of our whales.