Meaning

Primary

Fugu

Alternatives

Blowfish, Pufferfish

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The river pig is what's known as fugu or blowfish. You may know it from our mascot and best friend, the Tofugu!

But why does "river pig" = fugu? It's true that fugu usually live in the ocean, but sometimes they make their way into rivers near the ocean too. The "pig" part probably comes from their round, puffed-up appearance.

Reading

ふぐ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading makes no sense, really. Neither kanji readings work. But, if you remember that a river pig is a fugu, you can know the reading is ふぐ as well! YOU ARE A BLOWFISH, JESSE!

Context

Context Sentences

「豆腐と河豚のサンドイッチをお願いします。」 「同じく。」

"I’ll have a blowfish and tofu sandwich." "I’ll have the same."

河豚がサーモンの手にそっとお金を渡したのを見ちゃったんだよ。

I happened to witness that Fugu slipped some money into Salmon's hand.

夜に食べに行く河豚のことが心を占めていて、仕事が手につきません。

The pufferfish that I'm gonna go eat tonight has been occupying my mind and I can't get any work done.

Kanji Composition