Speakin' Japanese: Beach repartee

(Stripes Okinawa)

Try using some of these words or phrases when going to the beach – or the next time you’re at a sushi restaurant.

“Umi ni ikimashou!” = Let’s go to sea (beach).

“Kurage wa imasuka?” = Are there any jellyfish?

“kurage” = jellyfish

“same” = shark

“sakana” = fish

“kame” = turtle

“kujira” = whale

“Watashiwa kirei na kaigara wo mitsuke mashita.” = I found a beautiful seashell.

“Kaigara” = seashell

“Kono sakana no namae wa nan desuka?” = What is the name of this fish?

“Yasei no iruka wo mita koto ga arimasuka?” = Have you seen wild dolphins?

“yasei” = wild, “iruka” = dolphins

“Uni ni ki wo tsukete kudasai.” = Please watch out (be careful) for sea urchins.

“Shii fuudo no oishii omise wa dokodesuka?” = Where is a good seafood restaurant? “shii fuudo” = seafood

“Maguro onegaishimasu.” = Please have some tuna.

“maguro” = tuna

“ebi” = shrimp

“hamachi” = yellowtail

“Saa mon” = salmon

“uni” = sea urchin

“unagi” = freshwater eel

“anago” = sea eel

“nigiri” = raw fish atop rice-style sushi

“maki” = sushi roll

“temaki” = hand roll

WHEN ON OKINAWA – you can also say it in “Uchinaanguchi” (island dialect) like this:

“iyu” = fish

“Shibi” = maguro

“gurukun” = a popular reef fish on Okinawa

OKINAWA