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(なま)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(なま)放送(ほうそう) = 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 2026.5.26 7:05

03500/03509_nama