noun
Japanese pilchard; Japanese sardine
Refers specifically to Sardinops melanostictus, a common food fish in Japan.
マイワシは大衆魚として親しまれている。
The Japanese pilchard is popular as an affordable fish.
スーパーで新鮮なマイワシを買った。
I bought fresh Japanese sardines at the supermarket.
鰯 (いわし) is the general term for sardines, while マイワシ specifies the Japanese pilchard species.
Compound of 真 (ま, 'true') and 鰯 (いわし, 'sardine'), distinguishing it from other sardine species.