マグロ

まぐろ
noun
tuna
1. tuna (fish)
A large ocean fish of the family Scombridae, highly prized in Japanese cuisine for sushi and sashimi. Various species and cuts exist at different price points.
マグロの刺身(さしみ)()べた。
I ate tuna sashimi.
築地(つきじ)でマグロの()りを()た。
I watched the tuna auction at Tsukiji.
回転寿司(かいてんずし)ではマグロが一番(いちばん)人気(にんき)のネタだ。
Tuna is the most popular topping at conveyor belt sushi.

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)
  • (ちゅう)トロ (medium-fatty tuna)
  • (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(にぎ)り (tuna nigiri sushi)
  • マグロの()け (marinated tuna)
  • マグロ(どん) (tuna rice bowl)
  • (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 (まぐろ) exists but is less common outside formal or literary contexts.