Japanese symbol for “mackerel”
鯖
さば
Romaji: saba
mackerel (esp. the chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus)
In Japanese, mackerel is 鯖, read さば (saba).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- n mackerel (esp. the chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus)
- n server (esp. in an online game)
Written forms: 鯖. Readings: さば、サバ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “mackerel”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 青鯖 | あおさば aosaba | mackerel (esp. the chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus) |
| さ文字 | さもじ samoji | fish; mackerel |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| しめ鯖 | しめさば shimesaba | soused mackerel; vinegared mackerel |
| 鯖折り | さばおり sabaori | forward force down |
| 鯖節 | さばぶし sababushi | dried, smoked mackerel; shavings from dried, smoked mackerel |
| 真鯖 | まさば masaba | chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) |
| 胡麻鯖 | ごまさば gomasaba | blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus) |
| 丸鯖 | まるさば marusaba | blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus) |
See also: Chinese symbol for “mackerel”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.