タイ
Meanings
1
sea bream; porgy
usually written using kana alone
Refers to fish of the family Sparidae, especially the red sea bream (Pagrus major), a prized fish in Japanese cuisine. Often associated with celebrations.
At the celebration, grilled sea bream with salt was served.
Sea bream is known as a high-class fish.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が鯛を釣るfor someone to catch a sea bream
My father caught a big sea bream in the sea.
- 鯛を塩焼きにするto salt-grill a sea bream
We salt-grilled a sea bream and ate it to celebrate.
Expressions
- 腐っても鯛a diamond on a dunghill is still a diamond; quality is quality
- 海老で鯛を釣るget big returns on a small investment; throw a sprat to catch a mackerel
- 鯛の尾より鰯の頭better to be the head of a small group than the tail of a large one
- 鯛も一人はうまからずgood food requires good company; even sea bream doesn't taste good eaten alone