ハタハタ

also: かみなりうお

ハ

タ

ハ

タ

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

noun

sailfin sandfish; Japanese sandfish

usually written using kana alone

A fish species (Arctoscopus japonicus) found in the Sea of Japan; commonly eaten in Akita and other northern regions, often as sushi or grilled. The name is usually written in katakana.

秋あき田たではハタハタの寿す司しが名めい物ぶつだ。
In Akita, sailfin sandfish sushi is a local specialty.
ハタハタは冬ふゆが旬しゅんの魚さかなです。
Sailfin sandfish is a fish that is in season in winter.

See all 5 example sentences ›

Kanji

鰰sandfish, (kokuji)
雷thunder, lightning bolt
魚fish
鱩
燭light, candlepower

Written forms

ハタハタUsage83%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is the most common written form for this fish name; usually written in kana.
はたはたUsage10%
Hiragana spelling is also used, especially in informal contexts.
鰰はたはたUsage7%
Ateji kanji form; rarely used in modern writing.
鱩はたはた
Another rare ateji kanji form.
燭魚はたはた
Rare kanji compound; not commonly encountered.
雷魚
- かみなりうお
  Alternate reading and kanji form; the reading かみなりうお is restricted to this spelling. Rare in modern usage.
- はたはた
かみなりうお

Etymology

The name ハタハタ is of uncertain origin. One theory suggests it mimics the sound of the fish flopping, but this is not confirmed. The kanji forms 鰰 and 鱩 are ateji created for this fish, while 雷魚 (thunder fish) may refer to the belief that it appears during thunderstorms.