How to say "eel" in Japanese

• うなぎCommon
  nounThe common word for eel, especially the Japanese eel: use it for the fish itself or for eel as food, such as when ordering at a restaurant; usually written in kana.
  あまりしっかりうなぎを握にぎると、かえって逃にげられる。↗

  Holding an eel too fast is the way to let her escape.
• うな
  noun (prefix), nounA shortened form of うなぎ with the same meaning, but less common; learners will seldom want this word, and うなぎ is the safe choice in any ordinary context.

Both words mean eel, especially the Japanese eel, so the choice is about form rather than meaning: use 「うなぎ」, the common word, in ordinary contexts, and treat 「うな」 simply as its less common abbreviation.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• うなぎeel (esp. the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica)
• うなeel (esp. the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica)