海老(えび)

えび
noun
shrimp, prawn, lobster
animal-general
1. shrimp, prawn
A small crustacean used as food.
海老(えび)フライを食(た)べる。
To eat fried shrimp.
海老(えび)は美味(おい)しい。
Shrimp is delicious.
この海老(えび)は新鮮(しんせん)で甘(あま)い。
This shrimp is fresh and sweet.
2. lobster
A larger crustacean.
伊勢海老(いせえび)は高級(こうきゅう)な食材(しょくざい)だ。
Spiny lobster is a luxury ingredient.
海(うみ)で大(おお)きな海老(えび)が取(と)れた。
A large lobster was caught in the sea.
旅行先(りょこうさき)のレストランで海老(えび)の料理(りょうり)をたくさん食(た)べた。
I ate a lot of lobster dishes at a restaurant during my trip.

海老(えび) is the general term for shrimp, prawn, and lobster.

Writing

Also written as 蝦(えび). The kanji 海老(えび) literally means "sea elder" (referring to the curved, aged appearance).

Common dishes

  • 海老(えび)フライ: fried shrimp (breaded)
  • 海老天(えびてん): shrimp tempura
  • 海老(えび)チリ: shrimp in chili sauce
  • 甘海老(あまえび): sweet shrimp (for sushi)

Types

  • 伊勢海老(いせえび): Japanese spiny lobster
  • 車海老(くるまえび): tiger prawn
  • 桜海老(さくらえび): sakura shrimp

Cultural: Popular as おせち料理(おせちりょうり) (New Year food) symbolizing longevity.

general
Added 2026.1.9 21:58 · Revised 2026.9.2 11:55
02000/02272_ebi