How do you say "squid" in Japanese?

イカ

ika

Noun Katakana

In Japanese, "squid" is イカ (ika).

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Pronunciation

イカ is written using katakana. Romanised as ika, it sounds roughly like "ee-kah" to an English ear.

Writing and usage

Ika is written in katakana, marking it as a common noun used in everyday Japanese. This simple word appears frequently in menus and casual conversation about seafood.

Example sentence

子供たちはイカを見て喜んでいます。

Kodomotachi wa Ika wo mite yorokondeimasu.

The children are delighted to see the squid.

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How to remember イカ

Squid has a bulbous body and tentacles. Imagine the katakana イ shaped like a squid's sleek head.

Related words

Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.

See more beach words.

Questions about イカ

How do you pronounce イカ?

イカ is romanised as ika. Say it roughly like "ee-kah" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.

Is イカ formal or casual?

イカ 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 イカ written in Japanese?

イカ is written using katakana. Ika is written in katakana, marking it as a common noun used in everyday Japanese.

Where can I practice Japanese words for free?

You can play free Japanese minigames in your browser on the Noun Town online games page, with no sign-up needed. Every word in the Japanese glossary also has native audio and an example sentence you can revisit any time.

"Squid" in other languages

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