魚

JLPT N4

Fish

Readings

On’yomi: ギョ (gyo)

Kun’yomi: さかな, うお (sakana, uo)

• うお (uo) – fish (more formal or poetic) • さかな (sakana) – fish (commonly used in daily life)

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

魚

さかな

fish

魚屋

さかなや

fish shop

魚肉

ぎょにく

fish meat

熱帯魚

ねったいぎょ

tropical fish

金魚

きんぎょ

goldfish

Example Sentences

魚を食べます。

さかなをたべます。

I eat fish.

魚屋へ行きます。

さかなやへいきます。

I go to the fish shop.

魚肉ソーセージです。

ぎょにくそーせーじです。

It is fish sausage.

熱帯魚を飼います。

ねったいぎょをかいます。

I keep tropical fish.

金魚が泳ぎます。

きんぎょがおよぎます。

Goldfish swim.

Cultural Note

🐟 魚 (Fish) is deeply rooted in Japanese cuisine.
• Diet: Japan, surrounded by sea, has relied heavily on fish — forming the base of its cuisine.
o Sushi (寿司), sashimi (刺身), and grilled fish are everyday foods.
• Spiritual Symbol: In Shinto and Buddhism, fish symbolize abundance, perseverance, and purity.
• Language: The word “さかな” also refers metaphorically to snacks eaten with alcohol (“酒のさかな” = snacks for sake).
• Festivals: Goldfish scooping (金魚すくい) is a beloved traditional game at summer festivals.