生(なま)

なま
noun, prefix
raw, uncooked, fresh
1. raw, uncooked
Food that has not been cooked or heated. Often used for fish, meat, or eggs.
生(なま)卵(たまご)を食(た)べる。
To eat a raw egg.
生(なま)の魚(さかな)は新鮮(しんせん)なうちに食(た)べよう。
Let's eat raw fish while it's fresh.
生(なま)野菜(やさい)をサラダにして食(た)べた。
I ate the raw vegetables as a salad.
2. fresh, draft (beer)
Unpasteurized or freshly made. Commonly used for draft beer (生(なま)ビール).
生(なま)ビールを2つください。
Two draft beers, please.
生ビール = draft beer
生(なま)クリームをケーキに塗(ぬ)った。
I spread fresh cream on the cake.
ここの生(なま)ビールはおいしいと評判(ひょうばん)だ。
The draft beer here has a reputation for being delicious.
3. live, in person
Broadcast or performance happening in real time, not recorded.
生(なま)放送(ほうそう)でミスをしてしまった。
I made a mistake during the live broadcast.
生放送 = live broadcast
生(なま)演奏(えんそう)を聴(き)きに行(い)った。
I went to hear a live performance.
初(はじ)めて生(なま)で歌手(かしゅ)の歌(うた)を聴(き)いて感動(かんどう)した。
I was moved when I heard the singer perform live for the first time.

USAGE: 生(なま) is versatile, used for raw food, draft beverages, and live broadcasts/performances.

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 生(なま)ビール (draft beer)
  • 生(なま)卵(たまご) (raw egg)
  • 生(なま)魚(ざかな) (raw fish)
  • 生(なま)放送(ほうそう) (live broadcast)
  • 生(なま)演奏(えんそう) (live performance)
  • 生(なま)中継(ちゅうけい) (live relay)
  • 生(なま)クリーム (fresh cream)
  • 生(なま)野菜(やさい) (raw vegetables)

NOTE: In izakayas and restaurants, simply saying 「生(なま)」 typically refers to draft beer. The word is also read as き in compounds like 生(き)のまま (as is, raw).

CONTRAST:

  • 生(なま) - raw, uncooked
  • 焼(や)いた - grilled, cooked
general
Added 2026.1.12 19:40 · Revised 2026.3.1 9:29
03500/03509_nama