Fish in Japanese
"fish" in Japanese, with the kanji that carry the meaning.
魚
sakana
4 Japanese kanji carry the meaning "fish". The most common choice is shown first.
Which one to use
魚 is a fish. 釣 is to fish, the verb. 尾 is the counter for fish as well as the tail. 隻 counts boats, not fish. English uses fish for the animal and the act; Japanese does not.
Top pick
fish
Reading: gyo
11 strokes · nature
Where it comes from
Pictograph depicting fish head, body, and tail.
What it carries
Seafood, freshness, prosperity. Symbolizes food culture of island nation Japan.
Related kanji for "fish"
fish
chou · nature
Composed of metal and ladle. Fishing with metal ladle.
fish
bi · nature
Composed of body and hair. Hair of body.
fish
seki · nature
Composed of bird and hand. Holding bird with hand.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Japanese kanji for fish?
The most common kanji for "fish" is 魚, read as gyo. It means fish. Related kanji: 釣 (fish), 尾 (fish), 隻 (fish).
How many strokes does 魚 have?
魚 has 11 strokes.