Try using some of these words or phrases when going to the beach – or the next time you’re at a sushi restaurant.
“Umi ni ikimashou!” = Let’s go to sea (beach).
“Kurage wa imasuka?” = Are there any jellyfish?
“kurage” = jellyfish
“same” = shark
“sakana” = fish
“kame” = turtle
“kujira” = whale
“Watashiwa kirei na kaigara wo mitsuke mashita.” = I found a beautiful seashell.
“Kaigara” = seashell
“Kono sakana no namae wa nan desuka?” = What is the name of this fish?
“Yasei no iruka wo mita koto ga arimasuka?” = Have you seen wild dolphins?
“yasei” = wild, “iruka” = dolphins
“Uni ni ki wo tsukete kudasai.” = Please watch out (be careful) for sea urchins.
“Shii fuudo no oishii omise wa dokodesuka?” = Where is a good seafood restaurant? “shii fuudo” = seafood
“Maguro onegaishimasu.” = Please have some tuna.
“maguro” = tuna
“ebi” = shrimp
“hamachi” = yellowtail
“Saa mon” = salmon
“uni” = sea urchin
“unagi” = freshwater eel
“anago” = sea eel
“nigiri” = raw fish atop rice-style sushi
“maki” = sushi roll
“temaki” = hand roll
WHEN ON OKINAWA – you can also say it in “Uchinaanguchi” (island dialect) like this:
“iyu” = fish
“Shibi” = maguro
“gurukun” = a popular reef fish on Okinawa
AloJapan.com