Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

マサバ (まさば) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

マサバ

Meanings

1

noun

chub mackerel

usually written using kana alone

Refers to the fish Scomber japonicus, a common mackerel species in Japanese waters. Often encountered in culinary contexts.

マサバは刺さし身みでも焼やいても美味おいしい。
Chub mackerel is delicious both as sashimi and grilled.
この時じ期きのマサバは脂あぶらがのっている。
Chub mackerel is fatty this time of year.

Written forms

マサバUsage88%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is common for this fish name; usually written in kana.
まさばUsage12%
Hiragana spelling, also used.
真ま鯖さば
Kanji spelling exists but is rarely used; the fish name is normally written in kana.

Kanji

真

true, reality, Buddhist sect

鯖mackerel

Similar words

ゴマサバ
ゴマサバ (Scomber australasicus) is a similar mackerel species with small dark spots on the belly, often distinguished from マサバ in fish markets.
鯖さば
鯖 is the general term for mackerel; マサバ specifies the chub mackerel species.

Etymology

The name マサバ is a compound of 真 (ma, 'true') and 鯖 (saba, 'mackerel'), distinguishing it from other mackerel species. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.