フカヒレ
fukahire
The English phrase "shark fin" is translated into Japanese as フカヒレ (fukahire).
The term refers to the fin of a shark.
Meaning: fin of a shark (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of フカ (shark) and ヒレ (fin).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Okinawan dialect, the term for shark fin is カジビー.
How do you pronounce it?
fukahire
When do people say it?
While the components of the word are originally kanji-based, it is most commonly written in katakana as フカヒレ.
Did you know?
- While フカヒレ is the general term for shark fin, it is almost exclusively used in Japan to refer to the luxury soup 'shark fin soup' rather than the anatomical part of a living animal.
- Because フカヒレ is associated with extreme luxury and status, it is a common trope in Japanese media to show a character ordering it to signal their wealth or arrogance.
- While フカ means 'shark', it is more commonly used for specific species or in culinary contexts, whereas the scientific term サメ is much more standard for the animal itself.
Examples in context
- ご存知ですか？日本でも高級料理店で鮫のヒレが提供されています。Do you know that even in Japan, shark fin is served in upscale restaurants?
- フカヒレの料理は高級です。fukahire no ryouri wa koukyuu desu.Shark fin dishes are high-class.
- フカヒレの味はどうですか？fukahire no aji wa dou desu ka?How does the shark fin taste?
- 今日のメニューはフカヒレです。kyou no menyuu wa fukahire desu.Today's menu is shark fin.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are looking at a Chinese restaurant menu.
- 健太 Kenta美咲、フカヒレを食べてみない？Misaki, fukahire o tabete minai?Misaki, do you want to try some shark fin?
- 美咲 Misakiいいけど、高いんじゃない？Ii kedo, takai n janai?I'd like to, but isn't it expensive?
- 健太 Kenta今日は僕がおごるよ。Kyō wa boku ga ogoru yo.I'll treat you today.
- 美咲 Misakiじゃあ、お願いしよう！Jā, onegai shiyō!Then, let's order it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shark fin” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
