シラス

noun

whitebait; young sardines

Refers to the juvenile stage of sardines, anchovies, or similar small fish, often eaten whole. In Japanese cuisine, シラス is typically boiled and served over rice or used in various dishes.

• 朝あさごはんにシラスをご飯はんにかけて食たべた。

  I had whitebait over rice for breakfast.

noun

elver; young eel

Less common usage; specifically refers to young eels. In contexts where the type of fish is clear, シラス can mean elvers, but usually it implies whitebait.

• この地ち域いきでは、シラスと言いえばウナギの稚ち魚ぎょを指さすこともある。

  In this region, 'shirasu' can sometimes refer to young eels.