シーフード
shīfūdo[ɕiːɸɯ̟ːdo̞]
The English word seafood can be translated into Japanese using several terms, most commonly シーフード (shīfūdo). Wiktionary also lists 海鮮 (kaisen) and 魚介類 (gyokairui).
Meaning: fish, shellfish, seaweed and other edible aquatic life (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| シーフード | shīfūdo | [ɕiːɸɯ̟ːdo̞] (narrow) |
| 海鮮 | kaisen | [ka̠isẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| 魚介類 | gyokairui | [ɡʲo̞ka̠iɾɯ̟i] (narrow) |
| 海産物 | kaisanbutsu | [ka̠isã̠mbɯ̟t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
| 海産食品 | kaisan-shokuhin |
Japanese has several ways to refer to fish, shellfish, seaweed and other edible aquatic life. While シーフード is a direct loanword for seafood, the most general term for fish or seafood is さかな (sakana).
What does it mean word for word?
The term 海産物 literally translates to 'marine products'.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on your context. シーフード is a common loanword. 魚介類 is a more technical or formal way to categorize seafood, often used in biological or nutritional contexts. 海産物 is used in commercial or official contexts to describe goods harvested from the sea.
How do you pronounce it?
shīfūdo
Did you know?
- In historical Japanese contexts, the word 魚 (sakana) was used to refer to any side dish that accompanied sake, regardless of whether it was seafood or meat.
- The loanword シーフード often evokes a feeling of Western-style dining, such as seafood pasta or gratins, rather than traditional Japanese sashimi.
- In Japan, seaweed like 海苔 (nori) is biologically a plant, but it is categorized under 海産物 alongside fish and crustaceans in commercial trade.
Examples in context
- 魚介類、大好きなのよ。I really like seafood.This sentence is useful for expressing a love for 魚介類.Tatoeba #10732953 by small_snow, translation #2681914 by CM
- シーフード、めちゃ好きよ。I love seafood.This sentence is useful for expressing a love for シーフード.Tatoeba #10732963 by small_snow, translation #10733074 by CK
- 私たちは海老や他の海鮮料理で満腹だった。We glutted ourselves with lobsters and other seafood.This sentence is useful for describing a meal involving 海鮮.Tatoeba #1568236 by bunbuku, translation #248499 by CM
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is deciding what to eat for lunch at a mall.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵、今日のランチは何にする？Himari, kyō no ranchi wa nani ni suru?Himari, what do you want for lunch today?
- 陽葵 Himariシーフードが食べたい気分なの。Shīfūdo ga tabetai kibun na no.I am in the mood for seafood.
- 陽太 Yotaじゃあ、あのパスタのお店に行こうか。Jā, ano pasuta no omise ni ikō ka.Then, shall we go to that pasta shop?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、賛成！Un, sansei!Yes, I agree!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “seafood” translations and entries シーフード, 海鮮, 魚介類, 海産物, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
