アンチョビ
anchobi[ã̠ɲ̟t͡ɕo̞bʲi]
The English word 'anchovy' can be translated into Japanese as アンチョビ (anchobi). If unsure, use アンチョビ. Wiktionary also lists 片口鰯 (katakuchi-iwashi) and アンチョビー (anchobī).
Meaning: small saltwater fish (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| アンチョビ | anchobi | [ã̠ɲ̟t͡ɕo̞bʲi] (narrow) |
| 片口鰯 | katakuchi-iwashi | [ka̠ta̠kɯ̟̊t͡ɕiiβ̞a̠ɕi] (narrow) |
| アンチョビー | anchobī |
This term refers to the small saltwater fish known as an anchovy.
Which one should you use?
There are three ways to write this word. アンチョビ is the standard katakana spelling. アンチョビー is a variation that adds a long vowel sound at the end. The term 片口鰯 (katakuchi-iwashi) is the native Japanese name for the fish.
How do you pronounce it?
anchobi
Did you know?
- Because アンチョビ is a loanword, it is often used in Japan to refer specifically to the processed, salty fermented version used in pasta, rather than the fresh fish itself.
- In Japan, fresh 片口鰯 are often deep-fried whole and eaten as a snack or side dish, unlike the salted fillets common in the West.
- The native Japanese name 片口鰯 literally means 'single-mouth sardine' or 'lipped bowl sardine'.
Examples in context
- アンチョビのピザ、最高！Anchovy pizza is the best!
- アンチョビの風味はとても独特です。The flavor of anchovies is very distinctive.
- アンチョビをパンに塗る。anchobi o pan ni nuru.Spread anchovy on bread.
- このピザにはアンチョビが入っています。kono piza ni wa anchobi ga haitte imasu.This pizza has anchovies in it.
- アンチョビの塩気が強いです。anchobi no shioke ga tsuyoi desu.The anchovies are very salty.
Example conversation
At a small Italian restaurant.
- 健太 Kentaこのパスタ、具は何ですか？kono pasuta, gu wa nan desu ka?What are the ingredients in this pasta?
- 陽葵 Himariアンチョビを使ったソースですよ。anchobi o tsukatta sōsu desu yo.It's a sauce made with anchovy.
- 健太 Kenta美味しそうですね！oishisō desu ne!That sounds delicious!
- 陽葵 Himari健太さんも食べてみてください。Kenta-san mo tabete mite kudasai.Please try some too, Kenta.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “anchovy” translations and entries アンチョビ, 片口鰯, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries アンチョビ, 片口鰯, CC BY-SA 4.0.
