How to Say "Saba" in Japanese

鯖

[sa̠ba̠]

鯖 is the Japanese word for saba.

Did you know?

The word 鯖 can be a clever way to write the English loanword 'server' using Japanese characters. This is an example of 'ateji', where kanji are chosen for their sound rather than their traditional meaning.
In certain contexts, the term 鯖読み ('saba-yomi') does not involve fish at all, but refers to the dishonest practice of 'padding' numbers to improve statistics.
In Japanese culinary culture, しめ鯖 ('shime-saba') refers to a specific preservation method where the fish is cured with salt and vinegar.

ご注文はいかがなさいますか？さばの刺身はいかがですか？
Go-chūmon wa ikaga nasaimasu ka? Saba no sashimi wa ikaga desu ka?
今日、さばを食べに行きたいんだけど。何がおすすめ？
Kyō, saba o tabe ni ikitai n da kedo. Nani ga osusume?
今日の夕飯は鯖の塩焼きです。
Kyō no yūhan wa saba no shioyaki desu.
Tonight's dinner is grilled salted mackerel.
スーパーで新鮮な鯖を買いました。
Sūpā de shinsen na saba o kaimashita.
I bought fresh mackerel at the supermarket.
鯖の味噌煮は大好きです。
Saba no mizoni wa daisuki desu.
I love mackerel simmered in miso.

Kenta and Misaki are talking about what to cook for dinner.

健太 Kenta

今日の夕飯、何にしようか？
Kyō no yūhan, nan ni shiyō ka?
What should we make for dinner tonight?
美咲 Misaki

鯖の塩焼きはどうかな？
Saba no shioyaki wa dō kana?
How about grilled salted mackerel?
健太 Kenta

いいね、鯖を食べよう！
Ii ne, saba o tabeyō!
Sounds good, let's eat mackerel!
美咲 Misaki

じゃあ、私が準備するね。
Jā, watashi ga junbi suru ne.
Then, I will prepare it.

Sources

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