Refers to the fin itself, especially as an ingredient in Chinese cuisine.
Shark fin is known as an ingredient in high-class Chinese cuisine.
Katakana spelling is the most common written form.
Hiragana spelling is also used, though katakana is more common.
Kanji spelling is rare; the word is usually written in kana.
Compound of 鱶 (fuka, 'shark') and 鰭 (hire, 'fin'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word directly describes the body part.