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B1 noun #7,000 most common 7 min read

養魚

yougyo Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 養魚 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 養魚 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word '養魚' (yōgyo) yet, but you know the word for 'fish' which is '魚' (sakana). Think of '養魚' as a very special way to talk about making more fish. In Japan, people love fish very much. Sometimes they catch fish in the sea, and sometimes they grow fish in big pools of water. '養魚' is the word for growing fish in those pools. You might see a big place with lots of water and many fish jumping; that is a 'yōgyojō' (fish farm). Just remember: 'sakana' is the fish you eat or see, and 'yōgyo' is the job of taking care of many fish so they grow big and healthy.

For A2 learners, '養魚' (yōgyo) is a useful word when talking about jobs or the countryside in Japan. It is made of two parts: 'yō' (to take care of) and 'gyo' (fish). When you go to the mountains in Japan, you might see small ponds. Often, these are for 'yōgyo.' People raise fish like 'ayu' or 'rainbow trout' there. You can use this word to describe a specific type of agriculture. Instead of saying 'fish making,' you can say 'yōgyo.' It sounds more professional. For example, 'My hobby is yōgyo' (raising fish) sounds like you are very serious about it, like a professional breeder!

As a B1 learner, you should understand that '養魚' (yōgyo) refers to the technical and biological process of fish farming. It is different from 'yōshoku' (aquaculture for food) because 'yōgyo' focuses on the act of rearing. You will see this word in news articles about the environment or local industries. It is often used in compound nouns like '養魚場' (yōgyojō - fish farm) or '養魚技術' (yōgyo gijutsu - fish farming technology). When discussing sustainability, 'yōgyo' is a key term because it represents the human effort to manage aquatic resources instead of just harvesting them from the wild. You should be able to use it in sentences like 'I want to visit a fish farm to see the technology.'

At the B2 level, '養魚' (yōgyo) becomes a tool for discussing complex topics like ecology, economy, and resource management. You should be able to distinguish between 'yōgyo' (the practice of rearing) and 'yōshoku' (the industrial sector). B2 learners should use 'yōgyo' when referring to the developmental stages of fish, such as 'fry rearing' (稚魚の養魚). You might also encounter it in historical contexts, discussing how Japan developed its inland fisheries. The word implies a level of expertise and intentionality. You might discuss the 'environmental impact of yōgyo' (養魚による環境への影響) or 'innovations in automatic feeding systems for yōgyo.'

For C1 learners, '養魚' (yōgyo) is part of a specialized lexicon. You will encounter it in academic papers, government white papers on fisheries (水産白書), and high-level economic analyses. At this level, you should be familiar with related terms like '種苗生産' (shubyō seisan - seedling/fry production) which is a subset of 'yōgyo.' You should also be able to discuss the nuance of 'yōgyo' in the context of biodiversity—for example, the 'yōgyo' of endangered species for the purpose of 'hōryū' (releasing into the wild). Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's technical precision, using it to describe the biological management of aquatic life cycles.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of '養魚' (yōgyo) and its conceptual boundaries. You can use it to discuss the philosophy of 'satoyama' and 'satoumi'—the traditional Japanese approach to managing nature. You might analyze how 'yōgyo' practices have shifted from traditional pond culture to high-tech recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). You understand that 'yōgyo' can also appear in legal contexts regarding maritime law and riparian rights. Your ability to use 'yōgyo' alongside terms like '富栄養化' (fueiyōka - eutrophication) or '遺伝的多様性' (idanteki tayōsei - genetic diversity) allows you to engage in professional-level discourse on the future of global food systems.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

養魚 in 30 Seconds

養魚 (yōgyo) means fish farming or rearing fish in a controlled environment.
It is a formal/technical term compared to the common 'yōshoku' (commercial aquaculture).
Commonly found in compound words like 'yōgyojō' (fish farm) and 'yōgyochi' (fish pond).
It covers everything from hobbyist goldfish breeding to large-scale ecological conservation projects.

The term 養魚 (ようぎょ - yōgyo) is a sophisticated Japanese noun that literally translates to 'fish farming' or 'the rearing of fish.' In the landscape of Japanese vocabulary, it occupies a space that bridges the gap between hobbyist activities and industrial production. While the more common term 養殖 (yōshoku) specifically refers to commercial aquaculture for the food industry, 養魚 focuses more on the biological act of raising, nurturing, and maintaining fish populations. This distinction is crucial for learners at the B1 level and above who wish to speak with precision about nature, industry, or environmental science.

Etymological Breakdown: The first kanji, 養 (yō), means to foster, nurture, or provide for. It is the same character found in 養う (yashinau), which means to support a family or cultivate a skill. The second kanji, 魚 (gyo/sakana), is the standard character for fish. Together, they form a concept centered on the stewardship of aquatic life.
Historical Context: Japan has a long history of 養魚, particularly with carp (koi). During the Edo period, farmers in mountainous regions like Niigata began raising carp in irrigation ponds as a source of protein for the winter. This practice eventually evolved into the world-famous ornamental koi industry. Thus, 養魚 carries a nuance of traditional skill and careful attention to the life cycle of the fish.

この地域では、古くから山あいの池を利用した養魚が盛んに行われてきました。 (In this region, fish farming using mountain ponds has been actively practiced since ancient times.)

In modern usage, you will encounter this word in scientific reports, agricultural discussions, and hobbyist magazines. It is less likely to be heard at a sushi restaurant (where 養殖 is used to describe the fish on your plate) and more likely to be heard at a research facility or a specialized farm. It describes the process from hatching eggs to the growth of fry and juvenile fish. For example, a 養魚場 (yōgyojō) is a fish hatchery or farm where the primary focus is the health and growth of the stock.

Usage Scenarios: 1. **Environmental Conservation**: Restoring native fish populations through controlled rearing. 2. **Education**: Schools maintaining ponds for 'observational fish rearing' (観察養魚). 3. **Hobbyist Breeding**: High-end goldfish or koi breeding is often referred to through terms involving 養魚.

最新のテクノロジーを導入した養魚システムにより、水質の管理が容易になった。 (The fish farming system incorporating the latest technology has made water quality management easier.)

Using 養魚 correctly requires understanding its role as a noun that often functions as a prefix in compound words. While it can stand alone to describe the general activity, it is most frequently seen attached to other nouns to create specific technical terms. As a B1 learner, you should focus on how it interacts with verbs like 行う (okonau - to perform), 営む (itönamu - to run a business), and 研究する (kenkyū suru - to research).

Common Compound Words

養魚場 (Yōgyojō): Fish farm/hatchery. This is the most common compound.
養魚池 (Yōgyochi): Fish pond.
淡水養魚 (Tansui yōgyo): Freshwater fish farming.
養魚技術 (Yōgyo gijutsu): Fish farming technology.

When constructing a sentence, remember that 養魚 is the 'what' (the industry/act), and you need a verb to describe the 'action' being taken toward it. If you are a farmer, you might say 「私は養魚を営んでいます」 (I run a fish farming business). If you are a scientist, you might say 「養魚の効率化を研究しています」 (I am researching the improvement of fish farming efficiency).

彼は祖父から受け継いだ養魚の技術を、次世代に伝えようとしている。 (He is trying to pass down the fish farming techniques he inherited from his grandfather to the next generation.)

この湖では、生態系の保護のために外来種の養魚が禁止されている。 (In this lake, the farming of invasive fish species is prohibited for the protection of the ecosystem.)

In daily conversation in Tokyo or Osaka, you might not hear 養魚 every day. However, it is a staple word in specific environments that define Japan's relationship with its geography and resources. If you travel to the Japanese countryside (the inaka), you will see signs for 養魚場 along rivers and near mountains. These are often places where trout (masu) or sweetfish (ayu) are raised.

In the Media: News programs frequently use 養魚 when discussing food security or the 'SDGs' (Sustainable Development Goals). Since wild fish stocks are declining, the 'science of fish farming' (養魚学 - yōgyogaku) is presented as a solution to global hunger. You will hear it in documentaries about the ocean or in segments about local revitalisation projects.
Professional Settings: If you work in the import/export business, logistics, or environmental science, 養魚 is part of the standard terminology. It appears in legal documents regarding water rights and environmental impact assessments. For example, a company might need to prove that their 養魚 activities do not pollute the downstream water supply.

「こちらが当施設の養魚池です。ここでは年間10万匹の稚魚を育てています。」 (This is our facility's fish pond. We raise 100,000 fry here annually.)

Another surprising place you might encounter this word is in the context of kingyo-sukui (goldfish scooping) at summer festivals. The goldfish used for these games come from specialized 養魚場 in places like Yatomi in Aichi Prefecture or Yamato-Koriyama in Nara. Understanding this word gives you a deeper look into the 'backstage' of Japanese culture.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 養魚 is using it interchangeably with 養殖 (yōshoku). While they overlap, their 'registers' and 'focus' differ. Imagine the difference between 'agriculture' and 'farming' or 'husbandry' and 'production.' Using the wrong one can make your Japanese sound either overly clinical or slightly uneducated depending on the context.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 養殖 (Yōshoku): When you see 'farmed salmon' in a grocery store, the label says 養殖サーモン. It would be very strange to see 養魚サーモン. 養殖 is the industry term for food production. 養魚 is the biological act of raising the fish. Think of 養魚 as the verb 'to rear' and 養殖 as the industry 'aquaculture.'
Mistake 2: Using it for Mammals: Because the second kanji is 魚 (fish), you can never use this for cattle, pigs, or even whales (which are mammals). For cattle, you use 畜産 (chikusan). For general animal rearing, use 飼育 (shiiku).

❌ このレストランは養魚のマグロを使っています。
✅ このレストランは養殖のマグロを使っています。
(Restaurants use 'yōshoku' for ingredients.)

Another subtle mistake is the pronunciation. Ensure you don't confuse 養魚 (yōgyo) with 用語 (yōgo - terminology) or 幼魚 (yōgyo - juvenile fish). Interestingly, 養魚 and 幼魚 are homophones! Context is the only way to distinguish them. If someone says 'We are managing yōgyo,' are they managing the *act* of farming or the *juvenile fish* themselves? Usually, both are related, so it can be confusing!

To truly master 養魚, you must see where it sits among its 'synonym siblings.' Japanese has many words for 'raising' things, and choosing the right one shows your level of fluency.

養殖 (Yōshoku) - Aquaculture: The most common alternative. Use this when talking about business, food, and large-scale industrial farming. If there is a price tag on the fish eventually, it is likely 養殖.
飼育 (Shiiku) - Rearing/Breeding: This is a general term for raising animals. You can shiiku a dog, a hamster, or a fish. Use 飼育 for pets. 「金魚を飼育する」 is more common for a child with a fish tank than 養魚.
孵化 (Fuka) - Hatching: Specifically the act of eggs hatching. A 養魚場 will have a 孵化場 (fukajō - hatchery) inside it.
放流 (Hōryū) - Releasing fish: The opposite of farming. This is when you take fish from a 養魚場 and release them into a river to replenish the population.

Comparing usage:
1. **養魚**: The science/act of rearing fish.
2. **養殖**: The industry of producing fish for food.
3. **飼育**: Keeping fish as a pet or in a zoo.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji 養 (yō) contains the radical for 'sheep' (羊) on top and 'eat/food' (食) on the bottom. It literally suggests 'feeding sheep,' which was generalized to 'rearing' any animal, including fish.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /jəʊ.ɡjɒ/

US /joʊ.ɡjoʊ/

Flat pitch accent (Heiban), meaning the pitch starts low and rises, staying flat.

Rhymes With

kōgyo (industry) shōgyo (commerce) hōgyo (demise of an emperor) gyogyo (fishing) tōgyo (governance) kōgyo (performance) sōgyo (founding) jōgyo (purification)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'yogo' (terminology).
Forgetting the long 'o' in 'yō'.
Confusing it with 'yōkyū' (request).
Mixing up 'gyo' with 'jo'.
Misreading the kanji as 'yōsakana'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji are standard but '養' can be tricky for beginners.

Writing 4/5

Writing '養' requires attention to stroke order and radicals.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is simple, but watch the long vowel.

Listening 3/5

Must distinguish from homophones like 'yōgo'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

魚 (sakana) 育てる (sodateru) 水 (mizu) 池 (ike) 農家 (nōka)

Learn Next

養殖 (yōshoku) 水産 (suisan) 稚魚 (chigyo) 放流 (hōryū) 漁業 (gyogyō)

Advanced

富栄養化 (fueiyōka) 閉鎖循環式 (heisa junkan-shiki) 品種改良 (hinshu kairyō)

Grammar to Know

Noun + を営む (itönamu)

養魚場を営む (To run a fish farm business).

Noun + に適する (tekisuru)

養魚に適した水質 (Water quality suitable for fish farming).

Noun + による (ni yoru)

養魚による環境負荷 (Environmental load caused by fish farming).

Noun + のための (no tame no)

養魚のための池 (A pond for fish farming).

Compound Noun formation

養魚 + 場 = 養魚場 (Fish farm facility).

Examples by Level

ここは養魚場です。

This is a fish farm.

Simple A is B sentence structure.

養魚は魚を育てることです。

Fish farming is growing fish.

Defining a noun with 'koto desu'.

きれいな水で養魚をします。

We farm fish with clean water.

Using the particle 'de' for means/method.

養魚場の魚は大きいです。

The fish at the fish farm are big.

Possessive 'no' linking two nouns.

父は養魚場で働いています。

My father works at a fish farm.

Present continuous 'hataraite imasu'.

養魚の池がたくさんあります。

There are many fish farming ponds.

Quantifier 'takusan' with 'arimasu'.

私は養魚を見たいです。

I want to see fish farming.

Desire form '~tai desu'.

養魚は面白いです。

Fish farming is interesting.

Simple adjective sentence.

この村では養魚が盛んです。

Fish farming is popular/flourishing in this village.

The adjective 'sakan' describes a thriving activity.

養魚の技術を習いたいです。

I want to learn fish farming techniques.

Noun + no + noun structure.

川の近くに養魚場があります。

There is a fish farm near the river.

Location particle 'ni'.

養魚で金魚を育てています。

We are raising goldfish through fish farming.

Instrumental 'de' indicating the method.

養魚場の仕事は朝早いです。

Work at the fish farm starts early in the morning.

Subject-adjective pattern.

新しい養魚のやり方を考えます。

I will think of a new way of fish farming.

Compound noun 'yarikata' (way of doing).

養魚は食べ物を作るために大切です。

Fish farming is important for making food.

'~tame ni' indicating purpose.

冬の養魚はとても大変です。

Fish farming in winter is very difficult.

Time-limited subject.

日本の養魚技術は世界的に有名です。

Japan's fish farming technology is world-famous.

Adverbial 'sekai-teki ni' modifying an adjective.

養魚場を見学することになりました。

It has been decided that we will tour a fish farm.

'~koto ni narimashita' indicating an external decision.

環境に優しい養魚を目指しています。

We are aiming for eco-friendly fish farming.

Relative clause 'kankyo ni yasashii' modifying 'yōgyo'.

養魚には多くの水が必要です。

Fish farming requires a lot of water.

The particle 'ni wa' sets the topic for a requirement.

この地域は養魚で生計を立てています。

This region makes a living through fish farming.

Idiom 'seikei o tateru' (to make a living).

養魚池の温度を一定に保つ。

Keep the temperature of the fish pond constant.

The verb 'tamotsu' (to maintain/keep).

彼は養魚の専門家として働いている。

He is working as an expert in fish farming.

'~toshite' meaning 'as' or 'in the capacity of'.

養魚の効率を上げるための研究。

Research to increase the efficiency of fish farming.

Compound purpose clause.

養魚による水質汚染が問題になっている。

Water pollution caused by fish farming is becoming a problem.

'~ni yoru' indicating a cause or agent.

自動給餌機が養魚の現場を変えた。

Automatic feeders changed the fish farming workplace.

Subject 'ki' (machine) with a transitive verb.

養魚における病気の対策を講じる。

Take measures against diseases in fish farming.

'~ni okeru' meaning 'in' or 'at' in a formal context.

持続可能な養魚の形を模索している。

We are exploring sustainable forms of fish farming.

The verb 'mosaku suru' (to grope/explore).

養魚事業を拡大するために融資を受ける。

Receive a loan to expand the fish farming business.

Business terminology 'yūshi' (loan).

天然魚と養魚の味の違いを分析する。

Analyze the difference in taste between wild and farmed fish.

Contrastive 'to' used with 'chigai'.

養魚は食料自給率の向上に貢献する。

Fish farming contributes to improving food self-sufficiency.

The verb 'kōken suru' (to contribute).

養魚に適した環境を整える必要がある。

It is necessary to prepare an environment suitable for fish farming.

'~ni tekishita' (suited for).

閉鎖循環式養魚システムが注目されている。

Closed-recirculating aquaculture systems are gaining attention.

Technical compound noun.

養魚における遺伝的多様性の維持が課題だ。

Maintaining genetic diversity in fish farming is a challenge.

The noun 'kadai' (issue/task/challenge).

養魚の歴史を紐解くと、江戸時代に遡る。

Unraveling the history of fish farming takes us back to the Edo period.

Idiom 'himotoku' (to unravel/read/study).

養魚が周辺の生態系に及ぼす影響を調査する。

Investigate the impact fish farming has on the surrounding ecosystem.

The verb 'oyobosu' (to exert/cause).

養魚振興のための法整備が進められている。

Legislative measures are being promoted for the advancement of fish farming.

Formal term 'shinkō' (promotion/advancement).

養魚家たちは、市場価格の変動に苦慮している。

Fish farmers are struggling with fluctuations in market prices.

The verb 'kuryo suru' (to be distressed/struggle).

高度な養魚管理技術が、生産性を劇的に向上させた。

Advanced fish farming management technology has dramatically improved productivity.

Adverb 'gekiteki ni' (dramatically).

養魚は、海洋資源の乱獲を防ぐ有効な手段である。

Fish farming is an effective means of preventing overfishing of marine resources.

The noun 'shudan' (means/method).

養魚のパラダイムシフトが、持続可能な社会を実現する。

A paradigm shift in fish farming will realize a sustainable society.

Loanword 'paradigm shift' in a formal context.

バイオテクノロジーを駆使した養魚の最前線。

The forefront of fish farming utilizing biotechnology.

The verb 'kushi suru' (to make full use of).

養魚に伴う抗生物質の使用が、公衆衛生上の懸念となる。

The use of antibiotics associated with fish farming is a public health concern.

'~ni tomonau' (accompanying/associated with).

養魚と野生種との交雑が、遺伝的汚染を引き起こす。

Interbreeding between farmed fish and wild species causes genetic contamination.

The noun 'kōzatsu' (crossbreeding/hybridization).

養魚の集約化が招く、環境負荷の増大を検証する。

Verify the increase in environmental burden caused by the intensification of fish farming.

The verb 'maneku' (to invite/cause/lead to).

養魚の義務教育化が、食育の一環として検討されている。

Making fish farming part of compulsory education is being considered as part of dietary education.

The suffix '~ka' (ization).

養魚産業の衰退は、地方経済に致命的な打撃を与えかねない。

The decline of the fish farming industry could deal a fatal blow to regional economies.

'~kane nai' (might/could possibly happen - negative).

養魚のレジリエンスを高めるための、多角的なアプローチ。

A multifaceted approach to enhancing the resilience of fish farming.

Loanword 'resilience' used in technical strategy.

Common Collocations

養魚場を営む

養魚技術の確立

淡水養魚

養魚池の管理

養魚振興

観賞用養魚

養魚用飼料

養魚の効率化

循環式養魚

養魚家

Common Phrases

養魚場直送

— Directly delivered from the fish farm. Used in marketing for freshness.

養魚場直送の新鮮なマス。

養魚の神様

— A master or 'god' of fish farming. Used to praise an expert.

彼はこの地域で養魚の神様と呼ばれている。

養魚のいろは

— The ABCs (basics) of fish farming.

まずは養魚のいろはを学びなさい。

養魚に明け暮れる

— To spend all one's time on fish farming.

祖父は養魚に明け暮れる毎日だ。

養魚のノウハウ

— The know-how of fish farming.

独自の養魚のノウハウを蓄積する。

養魚に適した水

— Water suitable for fish farming.

ここには養魚に適した水がある。

養魚の成果

— The results/fruits of fish farming.

長年の養魚の成果が実を結ぶ。

養魚を志す

— To aim/aspire to become a fish farmer.

若者が養魚を志して移住してきた。

養魚の一環として

— As part of fish farming activities.

養魚の一環として水質調査を行う。

養魚の歴史

— The history of fish farming.

日本の養魚の歴史は古い。

Often Confused With

養魚 vs 養殖 (yōshoku)

Yōshoku is the industry/commercial term; Yōgyo is the act of rearing.

養魚 vs 用語 (yōgo)

Yōgo means 'terminology.' They sound similar but have different kanji and meanings.

養魚 vs 幼魚 (yōgyo)

Homophone meaning 'juvenile fish.' Context is required to distinguish them.

Idioms & Expressions

"魚心あれば水心"

— If the fish has a mind for the water, the water will have a mind for the fish. (Reciprocity).

養魚も人間関係も、魚心あれば水心だ。

Literary

"水を得た魚"

— Like a fish in water. Being in one's element.

彼は養魚場にいると、水を得た魚のようだ。

Common

"まな板の上の鯉"

— A carp on a cutting board. Being helpless.

養魚の過程で病気が出たら、まな板の上の鯉だ。

Common

"腐っても鯛"

— Even a rotten sea bream is still a sea bream. Quality remains.

名門の養魚場は、腐っても鯛だ。

Proverb

"海老で鯛を釣る"

— To catch a sea bream with a shrimp. To get a big profit from a small investment.

養魚ビジネスで海老で鯛を釣るような話はない。

Common

"池の魚の災い"

— The disaster of the fish in the pond. Being caught in a trouble one didn't cause.

隣の工場の事故は、まさに池の魚の災いだ。

Literary

"木に縁りて魚を求む"

— To look for fish in a tree. A futile effort.

水のない場所で養魚をするのは、木に縁りて魚を求むだ。

Literary

"魚の目に水見えず"

— Fish don't see the water they swim in. Being blind to the obvious.

養魚家は環境の良さに気づかない、魚の目に水見えずだ。

Literary

"網にかかった魚"

— A fish caught in a net. Having no escape.

借金をした養魚場は、網にかかった魚だ。

Common

"逃がした魚は大きい"

— The fish that got away was big. Regretting a lost opportunity.

養魚池から逃げた大物は、まさに逃がした魚は大きいだ。

Common

Easily Confused

養魚 vs 養殖

Both mean fish farming.

Yōshoku is for the business/food industry. Yōgyo is the biological rearing process.

養殖マグロ (farmed tuna) vs 養魚技術 (fish rearing tech).

養魚 vs 飼育

Both mean raising animals.

Shiiku is general (pets/zoos). Yōgyo is specific to fish (usually large scale).

犬の飼育 (raising a dog) vs 鱒の養魚 (rearing trout).

養魚 vs 栽培

Both involve growing things.

Saibai is for plants. Yōgyo is for fish.

トマトの栽培 (growing tomatoes) vs 鮎の養魚 (rearing ayu).

養魚 vs 育児

Both mean 'raising.'

Ikuji is for human children.

育児休暇 (childcare leave) vs 養魚場 (fish farm).

養魚 vs 畜産

Both are agricultural rearing.

Chikusan is for livestock (cows/pigs).

畜産農家 (livestock farmer) vs 養魚家 (fish farmer).

Sentence Patterns

ここは[Noun]です。

ここは養魚場です。

[Noun]で[Noun]を育てます。

養魚場で魚を育てます。

[Noun]は[Noun]に貢献します。

養魚は食料供給に貢献します。

[Noun]における[Noun]が課題です。

養魚における水質管理が課題です。

[Noun]を紐解くと[Noun]に遡る。

養魚の歴史を紐解くと江戸時代に遡る。

[Noun]に伴う[Noun]が懸念される。

養魚に伴う環境汚染が懸念される。

[Noun]に適した[Noun]を探す。

養魚に適した場所を探す。

[Noun]の効率化を図る。

養魚の効率化を図る。

Word Family

Nouns

養魚場

養魚家

養魚池

養魚学

淡水養魚

海水養魚

Verbs

養魚する (rare)

魚を養う (root verb)

Adjectives

養魚的な (technical)

養殖

水産

漁業

稚魚

成魚

How to Use It

frequency

High in agricultural/environmental contexts; low in urban daily life.

Common Mistakes

Using 養魚 for sushi labels. → 養殖 (yōshoku)
Labels use 養殖 to indicate the source of the food.
Pronouncing it as 'yogo'. → yōgyo
'Yogo' means terminology. Make sure to include the 'g' sound.
Writing 養 with only two lines in the 'sheep' part. → Three lines (羊).
It is the full sheep radical, not a simplified version.
Using 養魚 for cattle. → 畜産 (chikusan)
養魚 is strictly for fish.
Saying 'yōgyo o taberu'. → 魚を食べる (sakana o taberu)
You eat the fish, not the 'farming' itself.

Tips

Kanji Hint

The top of 養 is a sheep (羊). Imagine feeding a sheep, but here you are feeding a fish (魚).

Context Matters

Use 養魚 when talking about the science, the facility, or the act of caring for the fish.

Local Specialties

Many rural Japanese towns are famous for their specific 養魚, like eel or sweetfish.

Compound Power

Learn 養魚場 (farm) first, as it's the most useful version of the word.

Pitch Accent

Keep it flat. yō-gyo. No ups and downs.

Homophone Alert

If you hear 'yōgyo' in a conversation about baby fish, it might mean 幼魚 (juvenile fish).

Stroke Order

The kanji 養 has 15 strokes. Practice the sheep radical carefully.

Professionalism

Using 養魚 in a business context shows you understand the technical side of fisheries.

Sustainability

養魚 is often discussed alongside SDGs and protecting wild oceans.

Goldfish Lovers

If you like goldfish, 'Yatomi' is the holy land of 養魚.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Yo!' (yō) as calling out to your 'Fish' (gyo) friends as you feed them in your farm.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing over a perfectly circular pond (the top of 養 looks like a roof/person) feeding a fish (魚).

Word Web

Water Food Growth Pond Money Technology Conservation Japan

Challenge

Try to find 3 '養魚場' on Google Maps in rural Japan (like Niigata or Nagano).

Word Origin

Composed of Sino-Japanese (On-yomi) readings of two kanji. '養' (yō) dates back to ancient Chinese characters depicting a person feeding a sheep, meaning to nourish. '魚' (gyo) is a pictograph of a fish.

Original meaning: To nourish or rear fish.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Be aware of environmental debates regarding 'yōgyo' and its impact on local water quality.

In English, we usually just say 'fish farming' or 'aquaculture.' 'Pisciculture' is the closest technical equivalent to 'yōgyo.'

Yatomi Goldfish (famous production area) Niigata Koi (the origin of ornamental carp farming) Kindai Tuna (famous university-led aquaculture project)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Agriculture/Fisheries Industry

養魚場の経営
生産量の拡大
飼料の配合
出荷時期

Environmental Science

生態系への影響
水質汚濁の防止
外来種の管理
資源の保護

Hobbyist/Goldfish

観賞魚の養魚
色揚げ
品評会
血統の維持

Local Tourism

養魚場見学
つかみ取り体験
新鮮な川魚
地場産業

Academic Research

養魚学の基礎
成長速度の比較
病原菌の特定
自動化システム

Conversation Starters

"日本で一番有名な養魚場はどこですか？ (Where is the most famous fish farm in Japan?)"

"養魚と天然の魚、どちらが美味しいと思いますか？ (Which do you think tastes better, farmed or wild fish?)"

"最近の養魚技術についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about recent fish farming technologies?)"

"あなたの国では、どのような魚の養魚が盛んですか？ (In your country, what kind of fish farming is popular?)"

"養魚場を経営するのは大変な仕事だと思いますか？ (Do you think running a fish farm is a difficult job?)"

Journal Prompts

もし自分が養魚場のオーナーになったら、どんな魚を育てたいですか？ (If you became a fish farm owner, what kind of fish would you want to raise?)

養魚が環境に与えるメリットとデメリットについて書いてください。 (Write about the pros and cons of fish farming for the environment.)

日本の伝統的な養魚（錦鯉など）について調べたことをまとめてください。 (Summarize what you researched about traditional Japanese fish farming like Nishikigoi.)

将来、すべての魚が養魚になると思いますか？ (Do you think all fish will be farmed in the future?)

地元の養魚場を訪れた時のことを想像して、日記を書いてください。 (Imagine visiting a local fish farm and write a diary entry.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it also includes ornamental fish like koi and goldfish, as well as fish raised for environmental release.

養殖 (yōshoku) is the commercial industry of aquaculture. 養魚 (yōgyo) is the actual act or science of rearing the fish. In a grocery store, you see 養殖.

You say 養魚場 (yōgyojō). This is the most common way to use the word.

Usually, 養殖 is used for shellfish (oysters, etc.). 養魚 specifically implies 'fish' (魚).

It is common in the countryside and in news reports, but less common in city conversation.

It is 養, which means 'to nurture' or 'to foster.' It's the same 'yō' as in 'eiyō' (nutrition).

It is rarely used as 'yōgyo suru.' Instead, people say 'yōgyo o okonau' or 'yōgyo o itönamu.'

There are very few, but some exist on the outskirts (like Okutama) for trout.

Starting a 養魚場 (fish farm) requires significant investment in water systems and feed.

It means 'rearing fish for viewing'—basically breeding ornamental fish like goldfish.