ヒラメ
ひらめ
noun
flounder, flatfish
1.
flounder, flatfish, olive flounder
A flat-bodied fish that lies on the ocean floor with both eyes on one side. Prized in Japanese cuisine for its delicate white flesh, especially as sashimi and sushi.
ヒラメの刺身は美味しい。
Flounder sashimi is delicious.
ヒラメは高級な白身魚として知られている。
Flounder is known as a high-quality white fish.
寿司屋でヒラメの縁側を注文したら絶品だった。
When I ordered the flounder fin edge at the sushi restaurant, it was exquisite.
USAGE:
A prized sushi and sashimi fish. ヒラメ is particularly valued for its 縁側 (the fin edge), which has a distinctive crunchy texture.
ヒラメ VS. カレイ:
Both are flatfish, but they are different species. The saying 「左ヒラメに右カレイ」 (flounder on the left, sole on the right) helps distinguish them: when the belly faces you, ヒラメ has its eyes on the left side and カレイ on the right.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ヒラメの刺身 (flounder sashimi)
- ヒラメの煮付け (simmered flounder)
- ヒラメの縁側 (flounder fin edge — a delicacy)
- 天然ヒラメ (wild-caught flounder)
WRITING:
Usually written in katakana. The kanji 鮃 exists but is rare outside specialized contexts.