How to Say "Goldfish" in Japanese

金魚

kingyo[kʲĩŋʲɡʲo̞]

The Japanese word for goldfish is 金魚 (kingyo).

Meaning: fish (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of the characters for 'gold' (金) and 'fish' (魚).

kingyo

In Japan, 金魚 are central to the 'kingyo-sukui' game at summer festivals, where participants use a thin paper scoop to catch them from a tub.
There is a traditional Japanese belief that 金魚 can bring good luck and financial prosperity to a household.
During the Edo period, Japan developed highly specialized breeds of 金魚, leading to the fish becoming a symbol of wealth and status.

金魚は生きてる。
The goldfish is alive.
This sentence is useful for stating that the 金魚 is alive.
Tatoeba #10559032 by small_snow, translation #680149 by Source_VOA
金魚も飼ってるよ。
I have goldfish, too.
This sentence is useful for saying that you have 金魚 as well.
Tatoeba #11870641 by small_snow, translation #11870625 by CK
私も金魚、飼ってる。
I, too, have goldfish.
This sentence is useful for expressing that you also own 金魚.
Tatoeba #11870643 by small_snow, translation #12342142 by CK
私はキンギョが大好きです。
I love goldfish.
13 more sentences on Tatoeba

Hiyori and Hiroto are looking at a pet store window.

陽葵 Himari

この金魚、すごくきれいだね。
Kono kingyo, sugoku kirei da ne.
This goldfish is very beautiful, isn't it?
大翔 Hiroto

本当だ。色がいいね。
Hontou da. Iro ga ii ne.
You're right. The color is nice.
陽葵 Himari

金魚を飼いたいな。
Kingyo o kaitai na.
I want to keep a goldfish.
大翔 Hiroto

いい考えだね、陽葵。
Ii kangae da ne, Hiyori.
That's a good idea, Hiyori.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏