泥鰌
Chinese edit
For pronunciation and definitions of 泥鰌 – see 泥鰍 (“loach”). (This term is a variant form of 泥鰍). |
Japanese edit
Kanji in this term | |
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泥 | 鰌 |
Grade: S | Hyōgaiji |
irregular |
Alternative spellings |
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鰌 鯲 ドジョウ どぜう |
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Unknown. Historical sources from the Muromachi period spell this in kanji as 土長 (literally “earth, soil + long”), and in historical kana as どぢやう (dodyau). [1] Theories suggest that the name may refer to the fish's apparent ability to thrive in muddy conditions. The kanji is an orthographic borrowing from Chinese 泥鰌 (whence modern Chinese 泥鰍/泥鳅 (níqiū)).
This word has a common unetymological historical kana spelling, どぜう (dozeu), which was popularized by Edo period merchants and is still in use today in restaurants.[2]
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
泥鰌 or 泥鰌 • (dojō) ←どぢやう (dodyau) or ドヂヤウ (dodyau)?
Usage notes edit
As with many terms that name organisms, this term is often spelled in katakana, especially in biological contexts (where katakana is customary), as ドジョウ.
References edit
Further reading edit
- Etymology at Nihon Jiten (in Japanese)
- Etymology at Gogen-Allguide (in Japanese)