クロマグロ
kuromaguro
The Japanese phrase for bluefin tuna is クロマグロ (kuromaguro).
クロマグロ refers specifically to the bluefin tuna, a large species of tuna valued for its high quality and oily meat.
Which one should you use?
While クロマグロ specifies the bluefin species, the word マグロ is often used alone to refer to tuna in general.
How do you pronounce it?
kuromaguro
Did you know?
- There is a Japanese idiom マグロになる meaning 'to become a tuna', which refers to someone who stays in one place and doesn't move or act.
- The word for the most prized, fatty part of the tuna, トロ, is actually a shortened form of the verb とろける, which means 'to melt'.
- The word クロ in クロマグロ means 'black', despite the fish being known as 'bluefin' in English.
Examples in context
- クロマグロはとても高級な魚です。Kuromaguro wa totemo koukyuu na sakana desu.Bluefin tuna is a very high-end fish.
- 今日の夕食はクロマグロの刺身です。Kyou no yuushoku wa kuromaguro no sashimi desu.Tonight's dinner is bluefin tuna sashimi.
- 市場で新鮮なクロマグロを見つけた。Ichiba de shinsen na kuromaguro o mitsuketa.I found fresh bluefin tuna at the market.
Example conversation
At a high-end sushi restaurant.
- 大翔 Hirotoこのクロマグロはとても脂が乗っていますね。Kono kuromaguro wa totemo abura ga notte imasu ne.This bluefin tuna is very fatty, isn't it?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、最高級のものです。Hai, saikoukyuu no mono desu.Yes, it is top-grade.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さんはクロマグロが好きですか？Misaki-san wa kuromaguro ga suki desu ka?Misaki, do you like bluefin tuna?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、大好きです！Hai, daisuki desu!Yes, I love it!
