尾(び)

び
counter
counter for fish and shrimp
formalanimal-fish
1. counter for fish and shrimp
A formal counter used to count fish, shrimp, and similar aquatic creatures. More formal and technical than 匹(ひき), commonly used in fisheries, markets, and news reporting.
鯛(たい)を3尾(び)釣(つ)った。
I caught three sea bream.
今日(きょう)の水揚(みずあ)げは鮭(さけ)100尾(び)だった。
Today's catch was 100 salmon.
この水族館(すいぞくかん)では約(やく)500尾(び)の魚(さかな)が展示(てんじ)されている。
About 500 fish are on display at this aquarium.

Counting patterns

1尾(び) (いちび), 2尾(び) (にび), 3尾(び) (さんび), 4尾(び) (よんび), 5尾(び) (ごび), 6尾(び) (ろくび), 7尾(び) (ななび), 8尾(び) (はちび), 9尾(び) (きゅうび), 10尾(び) (じゅうび)

Usage

A formal, somewhat technical counter. In everyday conversation, 匹(ひき) is more natural for counting fish. 尾(び) is preferred in fisheries (漁業(ぎょぎょう)), news reports, markets, and scientific contexts.

Similar words

  • 匹(ひき): general counter for animals including fish (everyday)
  • 本(ほん): sometimes used for long fish like eels

Related Words

Related: 尾(お) (different reading)
Related: 匹(ひき) (counter for small animals)
Compare: 本(ほん) (sometimes used for long fish like eels)
Compare: 頭(とう) (counter for large animals)
general
Added 2026.3.20 10:08 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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