まぐろの刺身
maguro no sashimi
The English phrase "tuna sashimi" is translated into Japanese as まぐろの刺身 (maguro no sashimi).
まぐろの刺身 refers to fresh, raw tuna sliced into thin pieces and served as a dish.
What does it mean word for word?
The particle の functions as a possessive or descriptive marker, linking 'maguro' (tuna) to 'sashimi' (sliced raw fish).
Which one should you use?
You may also see マグロの刺身 on restaurant menus. In this version, the fish name is written in katakana instead of hiragana, which is a standard way to present food items on restaurant menus.
How do you pronounce it?
maguro no sashimi
Did you know?
- While 刺身 translates to 'sliced raw fish', the word literally means 'pierced body', referring to the ancient practice of skewering slices of fish on bamboo sticks.
- In Japan, the most expensive まぐろ is often sold at the Toyosu Market auctions, where a single tuna can sell for millions of dollars to prestigious sushi restaurants.
- Depending on the part of the fish, まぐろ is categorized into akami (lean), chutoro (medium fatty) and otoro (fatty). These are treated as distinct culinary experiences rather than just different cuts of the same fish.
Examples in context
- おすすめはまぐろの刺身です。The recommended dish is tuna sashimi.
- まぐろの刺身をいただきます。I will have some tuna sashimi.
- まぐろの刺身が好きだよ。I like tuna sashimi.
- まぐろの刺身、最高だね！Tuna sashimi is the best!
- まぐろの刺身をください。maguro no sashimi o kudasai.Please give me the tuna sashimi.
- このまぐろの刺身はとても新鮮です。kono maguro no sashimi wa totemo shinsen desu.This tuna sashimi is very fresh.
- まぐろの刺身とビールを注文しました。maguro no sashimi to biiru o chuumon shimashita.I ordered tuna sashimi and beer.
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are looking at a menu at a Japanese restaurant.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔さん、何にする？Hiroto-san, nani ni suru?Hiroto, what are you going to have?
- 大翔 Hiroto僕はまぐろの刺身にするよ。Boku wa maguro no sashimi ni suru yo.I'll have the tuna sashimi.
- 美咲 Misakiいいですね。私もそれにしようかな。Ii desu ne. Watashi mo sore ni shiyou kana.That sounds good. Maybe I'll have that too.
- 大翔 Hirotoじゃあ、二皿注文しよう。Jaa, niza ra chuumon shiyou.Then, let's order two plates.
