鮫(さめ)

さめ
noun
shark
1. shark
A large predatory fish with cartilaginous skeleton, multiple rows of teeth, and a streamlined body.
鮫(さめ)は海(うみ)の食物連鎖(しょくもつれんさ)の頂点(ちょうてん)にいる。
Sharks are at the top of the ocean food chain.
この海岸(かいがん)では鮫(さめ)が出(で)ることがあるので注意(ちゅうい)が必要(ひつよう)だ。
Sharks sometimes appear at this beach, so caution is necessary.
鮫(さめ)は嗅覚(きゅうかく)が非常(ひじょう)に発達(はったつ)している。
Sharks have a highly developed sense of smell.

鮫(さめ) refers to sharks in general.

Alternative writing: サメ (katakana, common in scientific contexts)

Common types:

  • ホホジロ鮫(ざめ) / ホオジロ鮫(ざめ) (great white shark)
  • ジンベエ鮫(ざめ) (whale shark)
  • シュモク鮫(ざめ) (hammerhead shark)

Common expressions:

  • 鮫(さめ)肌(はだ) (rough skin; literally "shark skin")
  • 鮫(さめ)皮(がわ) (sharkskin, also used for sword handle wrapping)

Counter: 匹(ひき) or 頭(とう) (for large sharks)

Cultural note:
In traditional Japanese swordmaking, 鮫(さめ)皮(がわ) (ray/shark skin) is used to wrap sword handles for grip. This material is actually from rays rather than sharks in most cases.

general
Added 2026.1.14 20:02 · Revised 2026.5.31 5:06
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