1.
dorsal fin
The fin located on the back of a fish or marine animal. Also written as 背鰭 with kanji. The dorsal fin helps with stability and, in some species, serves as a defense mechanism.
サメの背びれが水面に見えた。
A shark's dorsal fin was visible above the water.
この魚は背びれに毒がある。
This fish has venom in its dorsal fin.
イルカの背びれの形は個体ごとに異なり、識別に使われる。
The shape of a dolphin's dorsal fin differs by individual and is used for identification.
Also written with kanji as 背鰭, though the hiragana form 背びれ is more common in general writing since 鰭 is an uncommon kanji. Part of a set of fin terms using ～ひれ/～びれ.
RELATED FIN TERMS:
- 胸びれ: pectoral fin
- 腹びれ: pelvic/ventral fin
- 尾びれ: caudal/tail fin
- 尻びれ: anal fin
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 背びれが立つ: the dorsal fin stands up
- 背びれを広げる: to spread the dorsal fin
- 背びれの棘: dorsal fin spine