穴子
anago[a̠na̠ɡo̞]
The English phrase "conger eel" is translated into Japanese as 穴子 (anago).
The term 穴子 is most commonly encountered in the context of Japanese cuisine, such as in sushi or tempura.
Meaning: Conger (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The name 穴子 (anago) is composed of the kanji for "hole" (穴) and "child" (子), referring to the eel's habit of living in holes in the seabed.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, specifically Kyoto and Osaka, 'Hamo' is used to refer to conger eel.
How do you pronounce it?
anago
Did you know?
- While 穴子 is the general term, the variety known as 鱧 (hamo) is prepared by a specialized technique where the chef makes dozens of tiny cuts in the skin to remove a poisonous membrane.
- In Kyoto, the conger eel 鱧 (hamo) is a seasonal delicacy traditionally eaten during the hottest days of summer to provide stamina and cool the body.
- The transition from 'ana-ko' to 'anago' is an example of a linguistic phenomenon called rendaku, where a consonant becomes voiced to make the word easier to say.
Examples in context
- 久しぶりにマアナゴの刺身を食べたいな。I want to eat saltwater conger eel sashimi for the first time in a while.
- 穴子はとても美味しいです。anago wa totemo oishii desu.Conger eel is very delicious.
- 今日の夕食は穴子の煮付けです。kyou no yuushoku wa anago no nitsuke desu.Today's dinner is simmered conger eel.
- 市場で新鮮な穴子を買いました。ichiba de shinsenna anago o kaimashita.I bought fresh conger eel at the market.
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are looking at a menu at a traditional Japanese restaurant.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵、何にする？Himari, nani ni suru?Himari, what are you going to have?
- 陽葵 Himari私は穴子の丼にします。Watashi wa anago no donburi ni shimasu.I'll have the conger eel bowl.
- 蓮 Renいいな。僕もそれにしよう。Ii na. Boku mo sore ni shiyō.Nice. I'll have that too.
- 陽葵 Himariここ、美味しいって評判だよ。Koko, oishii tte hyōban dayo.I heard this place is delicious.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “conger eel” translations and entries 穴子, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 穴子, CC BY-SA 4.0.
