鯖を読む

Japanese

Kanji in this term
鯖	読
さば Hyōgai	よ Grade: 2
kun'yomi

Alternative spelling
鯖を讀む (kyūjitai)

Etymology

From a supposedly common act of fishmongers who forge or misrepresent the amount of 鯖 (“mackerel”) they sell in a bulk.

Verb

鯖(さば)を読(よ)む • (saba o yomu) godan (stem 鯖(さば)を読(よ)み (saba o yomi), past 鯖(さば)を読(よ)んだ (saba o yonda))

1. (idiomatic) manipulate figures to one's advantage, especially one's own age, height, or weight

Usage notes

When used about age, it normally is about presenting oneself as younger than their actual age.

Derived terms

• 鯖読(さばよ)み (sabayomi, “manipulation of figures”)
• 逆鯖(ぎゃくさば) (gyakusaba, “presenting oneself as older than their actual age”)