Japanese pilchard; Japanese sardine
Refers specifically to Sardinops melanostictus, a common food fish in Japan.
The Japanese pilchard is popular as an affordable fish.
I bought fresh Japanese sardines at the supermarket.
Usually written in katakana; the kanji form 真鰯 is rare.
Rare kanji spelling; the katakana form is standard.
Compound of 真 (ま, 'true') and 鰯 (いわし, 'sardine'), distinguishing it from other sardine species.