鮪
tuna
Readings
On'yomi
- キ
- ユウ
- イ
Kun'yomi
- まぐろ
- しび
Meaning
鮪 centers on the fish tuna, with no broader conceptual cluster beyond that specific animal.
Most common words using 鮪
- 鮪まぐろN1
tuna (Thunnus spp.; esp. the Pacific bluefin)
- 鮪しび
tuna
- 黒鮪くろまぐろ
Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis)
- 南鮪みなみまぐろ
southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii)
- 大西洋黒鮪たいせいようくろまぐろ
Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus); northern bluefin tuna
- 磯鮪いそまぐろ
dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor)
- 葱鮪ねぎま
one-pot meal of spring onions and tuna
- 葱鮪鍋ねぎまなべ
stew based on spring onions and tuna
- 鮪包丁まぐろぼうちょう
tuna knife
- 鮪釣りまぐろつり
tuna fishing
- 黄肌鮪きはだまぐろ
yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)
Study
Etymology
鮪 combines the fish radical 魚 with 有, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character is used specifically for tuna.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 魚 means fish, and the right side 有 suggests possession or existence. Picture a fish that is truly the king of the sea—the tuna, a prized catch.
Reading mnemonic
For キ, imagine a giant tuna leaping out of the water with a shiny key in its mouth: key -> キ, and the tuna holds the key to the ocean.