蛸(たこ)

たこ
noun
octopus
1. octopus
A marine cephalopod with eight arms and a soft body. Octopus is a popular food ingredient in Japan.
蛸(たこ)は足(あし)が八本(はっぽん)ある。
An octopus has eight legs.
Octopus arms are called 足(あし) (legs) in Japanese
大阪(おおさか)の名物(めいぶつ)は蛸焼(たこや)きだ。
Osaka's famous food is takoyaki.
蛸(たこ)は吸盤(きゅうばん)で岩(いわ)にしっかり張(は)り付(つ)く。
Octopuses firmly attach to rocks with their suckers.

蛸(たこ) refers to octopus.

Alternative writing: タコ (katakana, common)

Common dishes:

  • 蛸焼(たこや)き (takoyaki - octopus balls)
  • 蛸(たこ)の刺身(さしみ) (octopus sashimi)
  • 蛸(たこ)酢(す) (vinegared octopus)
  • 明石焼(あかしや)き (Akashi-style octopus dumplings)

Common expressions:

  • 蛸部屋(たこべや) (cramped workers' quarters; literally "octopus room")
  • 蛸足配線(たこあしはいせん) (power strip with multiple outlets; "octopus leg wiring")

Counter: 匹(ひき)

Cultural note:
Octopus has a different image in Japan compared to Western countries - it's considered a delicious food rather than strange or scary. 蛸焼(たこや)き from Osaka is one of Japan's most famous street foods.

Related Words

Related: いか
general
Added 2026.1.14 20:02 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:14
04000/04323_tako