Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

カンパチ (かんぱち) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

カンパチ

か

ん

ぱ

ち

Meanings

1

noun

greater amberjack; purplish amberjack; greater yellowtail

usually written using kana alone

A large marine fish (Seriola dumerili) prized as a food fish in Japan, often served as sashimi or sushi.

カンパチの刺さし身みは脂あぶらがのっていて美味おいしい。
Greater amberjack sashimi is rich and delicious.
この辺あたりの海うみではカンパチがよく釣つれる。
Greater amberjack are often caught in the sea around here.

Written forms

カンパチUsage76%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is standard for this fish name; usually written in kana.
かんぱちUsage16%
Hiragana spelling, also common.
勘かん八ぱちUsage8%
Alternate kanji form; even less common.
間

かん

八ぱち

Kanji form; rarely used in practice.

Kanji

間interval, space
八eight, eight radical (no. 12)
勘intuition, perception, check

Similar words

ブリ
Yellowtail (Japanese amberjack), a related but distinct species; ブリ is more common in colder waters and has a different flavor profile.
ヒラマサ
Yellowtail amberjack, another similar fish often compared to カンパチ; ヒラマサ has a slightly leaner taste.

Etymology

The name likely derives from the pattern on the fish's head resembling the kanji 八 (eight), but the exact origin is uncertain.