海老(えび)

えび
noun
shrimp, prawn, lobster
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.

KANJI NOTE:
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(あま)海老(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 2026.3.25 23:52
02000/02272_ebi