ドジョウ
ド
ジョ
ウ
Meanings
1
loach (any fish of family Cobitidae)
usually written using kana alone
General term for loaches, a family of freshwater fish. In everyday Japanese, often refers specifically to the weather loach.
Loaches live in the mud.
2
weather loach; pond loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)
The most common loach species in Japan, often simply called ドジョウ. Used in cooking and as a familiar pond fish.
When I was a child, I caught weather loaches in the rice paddies.
Loach hotpot is a winter delicacy.
Expressions
- 柳の下にいつも泥鰌はいないgood luck does not always repeat itself; a fox is not taken twice in the same snare
- 柳の下にいつも泥鰌はおらぬa fox is not taken twice in the same snare; there are no birds in last year's nest; lightning never strikes twice in the same place