マグロ

Usage

The most popular sushi and sashimi fish in Japan. Different cuts and species have distinct names and price ranges.

Common cuts

• 赤身(あかみ) (lean red meat — most affordable)
• 中(ちゅう)トロ (medium-fatty tuna)
• 大(おお)トロ (fatty tuna belly — most expensive)

Common collocations

• マグロの刺身(さしみ) (tuna sashimi)
• マグロの握(にぎ)り (tuna nigiri sushi)
• マグロの漬(づ)け (marinated tuna)
• マグロ丼(どん) (tuna rice bowl)
• 本(ほん)マグロ (bluefin tuna — the most prized variety)

Writing

Usually written in katakana (マグロ) in menus and everyday use. The kanji 鮪(まぐろ) exists but is less common outside formal or literary contexts.