Translation guide
The animal 'whale' is 鯨 (くじら) in Japanese. This entry covers the animal, its meat, and related expressions.
whale (animal)
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.
鯨の刺身を食べたことがありますか？
Have you ever eaten whale sashimi?
あの人はうちの上客です。
That person is one of our whales.