How do you say "sardine" in Japanese?

イワシ

iwashi

Noun Katakana

In Japanese, "sardine" is イワシ (iwashi).

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Pronunciation

イワシ is written using katakana. Romanised as iwashi, it sounds roughly like "ee-wah-shee" to an English ear.

Writing and usage

Iwashi in katakana is a small oily fish. The katakana marks it as a common market term rather than a formal designation.

Example sentence

イワシはどこにありますか？

Iwashi wa doko ni arimasu ka?

Where is the sardine?

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How to remember イワシ

Iwashi - sounds like 'ee-wah-shee'. Small packed fish like sardines crowded together. Say the word fast like swarming fish.

Related words

Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.

See more farm words.

Questions about イワシ

How do you pronounce イワシ?

イワシ is romanised as iwashi. Say it roughly like "ee-wah-shee" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.

Is イワシ formal or casual?

イワシ is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech. The level of formality comes from the sentence structure around it, not from the word itself.

How is イワシ written in Japanese?

イワシ is written using katakana. Iwashi in katakana is a small oily fish.

Where can I practice Japanese words for free?

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"Sardine" in other languages

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