How to Say Salmon in Japanese – A Guide to the Japanese Word for Salmon

Salmon is a popular fish in Japan, where it is known as 鮭 (sake). If you love salmon sushi, sashimi and other Japanese salmon dishes, learning how to say salmon in Japanese can help enrich your dining experience In this article, we’ll cover the basics for saying salmon in Japanese along with some key vocabulary

The Japanese Word for Salmon – 鮭

In Japanese, the most common word for salmon is 鮭, pronounced as “sah-kay” This single kanji character is all you need to know to say salmon in most everyday situations

Some key points about the Japanese salmon word:

• It’s written with one kanji character 鮭
• Romanized as “sake”
• Pronounced “sah-kay”
• Refers to salmon in general or any salmon species

So if you’re looking at a salmon sushi menu, pointing to the 鮭 rolls and saying “sah-kay” will communicate you want the salmon. It’s that simple!

Additional Vocabulary for Salmon Types

While 鮭 covers salmon in general, you may also come across more specific Japanese words for certain salmon species:

• シロザケ (shi-ro-za-ke) – Chum salmon
• ベニザケ (be-ni-za-ke) – Sockeye salmon
• カラフトマス (ka-ra-fu-to-ma-su) – Masu salmon
• キングサーモン (kingu-sā-mon) – Chinook salmon

If you know these other names for popular types of salmon, you’ll be better able to understand Japanese food and menus that use certain types of salmon.

Useful Phrases with the Salmon Word

Here are some handy Japanese phrases that incorporate 鮭 to talk about salmon:

• 鮭の刺身 (sah-kay no sa-shi-mi) – Salmon sashimi
• 鮭の寿司 (sah-kay no su-shi) – Salmon sushi
• 鮭の塩焼き (sah-kay no shio-ya-ki) – Salmon salt-grilled
• 私は鮭が大好きです (wa-ta-shi wa sah-kay ga dai-su-ki de-su) – I love salmon

Listen to Audio of Salmon in Japanese

Hearing 鮭 pronounced by native Japanese speakers can help you get the “sah-kay” pronunciation just right. Here are some audio examples:

[Insert embedded audio clip of salmon in Japanese]

Listening to the audio will familiarize your ear with the sounds so you’ll be ready to order salmon sushi like a pro!

Putting It All Together

Whether you’re browsing a Tokyo fish market or sitting down for sushi, knowing the Japanese word for salmon – 鮭 – and how to say “sah-kay” will serve you well. With this guide, you’ll be set to talk about salmon in Japanese and fully enjoy Japan’s delicious salmon delicacies.