How to Say "Mermaid" in Japanese

人魚

ningyo[ɲ̟ĩŋʲɡʲo̞]

The Japanese word for mermaid is 人魚 (ningyo).

人魚 is used to refer to the mythological creature characterized as a woman with a fish's tail.

Meaning: mythological woman with a fish’s tail (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of the characters for person (人) and fish (魚).

ningyo

Eating the flesh of a 人魚 was believed in ancient legends to grant a person eternal youth or even immortality.
In traditional Japanese folklore, a 人魚 was often described as a creature with a face like a human but the body of a fish, rather than a beautiful woman.
The Japanese concept of the 人魚 is linked to the 'Yōkai' category of supernatural monsters and spirits rather than just fairy tale characters.

伝説では、彼女は人魚だったと言われる。
The legend says that she was a mermaid.
This sentence illustrates how to refer to a mermaid within a legend using 人魚.
Wiktionary
人魚姫
The Little Mermaid
This is the title for 'The Little Mermaid' featuring 人魚.
Wiktionary
昔話には人魚の話がよく出てくる。
Mermaid stories often appear in fairy tales.
あの映画には人魚が出てくるよ。
There are mermaids in that movie.
海の中に人魚がいるのかも知れない。
Umi no naka ni ningyo ga iru no kamo shirenai.
There might be a mermaid inside the sea.

Kenta and Misaki are looking at a picture book.

健太 Kenta

この絵の人魚はとても綺麗だね。
Kono e no ningyo wa totemo kirei da ne.
The mermaid in this picture is very beautiful.
美咲 Misaki

本当だね。鱗がキラキラしているよ。
Hontō da ne. Uroko ga kirakira shite iru yo.
You're right. Her scales are sparkling.
健太 Kenta

本当に人魚がいたら、一緒に泳ぎたいな。
Hontō ni ningyo ga itara, issho ni oyogitai na.
If mermaids really existed, I'd want to swim with one.
美咲 Misaki

私も！海の中を旅してみたいね。
Watashi mo! Umi no naka o tabi shite mitai ne.
Me too! I'd love to travel underwater.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏