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イットウダイ (いっとうだい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

イットウダイ

Meanings

1

noun

North Pacific squirrelfish

usually written using kana alone

A species of squirrelfish (Sargocentron spinosissimum) found in the North Pacific. The name is a specific biological term.

イットウダイは夜や行こう性せいで、昼ひる間まは岩いわ陰かげに隠かくれている。
The North Pacific squirrelfish is nocturnal and hides in rock crevices during the day.

Written forms

イットウダイ
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is standard for this fish name; usually written in kana.
一いっ等とう鯛だい
Kanji spelling is rare and may not be widely recognized; the katakana form is strongly preferred.

Kanji

一one, one radical (no.1)
等etc., and so forth, class (first)
鯛

sea bream, red snapper

Etymology

The name イットウダイ (一等鯛) literally means 'first-class sea bream', but the exact reason for this naming is uncertain. It may refer to the fish's appearance or perceived quality.