鮫
same[sa̠me̞]
The English word shark is translated into Japanese as 鮫 (same).
The term refers to the predatory fish known as a shark.
Meaning: fish (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 鮫 is the standard kanji form, the katakana version サメ is more commonly used in modern Japanese writing.
How do you pronounce it?
same
Did you know?
- While 鮫 refers to the shark, the word 鮫皮 refers to the rough, sandpaper-like skin of the fish, which was historically used to polish swords.
- The word 鮫 is often used in the names of various Japanese surnames, though it is far less common than surnames referring to mountains or fields.
- The word 鮫 originates from the Old Japanese word samai.
Examples in context
- あの鮫はとても大きいです。Ano same wa totemo ookii desu.That shark is very big.
- 海の中に鮫がいました。Umi no naka ni same ga imashita.There was a shark in the sea.
- 鮫の泳ぎ方は速いです。Same no oyogikata wa hayai desu.The way sharks swim is fast.
Example conversation
Two people are looking at an aquarium.
- 美咲 Misaki美咲：あ、大きな鮫がいるよ！A, ookina same ga iru yo!Oh, there's a big shark!
- 大翔 Hiroto大翔：本当だ、迫力があるね。Hontou da, hakuryoku ga aru ne.You're right, it's quite powerful.
- 美咲 Misaki美咲：大翔くん、怖くない？Hiroto-kun, kowakunai?Hiroto, aren't you scared?
- 大翔 Hiroto大翔：全然大丈夫だよ。Zenzen daijoubu da yo.I'm not scared at all.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shark” translations and entries 鮫, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 鮫, CC BY-SA 4.0.
