In Japanese, “unagi sentences” or “eel sentences” are sentences that literally mean “x is y,” but that we translate very differently in context. Why are they called “eel” sentences? Because of the classic example below:
何をにぎりましょうか。
Nani o nigirimashō ka.
What sushi shall (I) make?
私はマグロが食べたいわ。
Watashi wa maguro ga tabetai wa.
As for me, (I) want to eat tuna.
僕はうなぎだ。
Boku wa unagi da.
lit. I am an eel.
Why did customer B say that they’re an eel? Well, in context they didn’t! What they said means something more like “I’ll have the eel.”
“Unagi” sentences can provide us with some great illustration of the nuances of how we use some of our Japanese particles, like は[wa], が[ga] and も[mo] in conversations. Though using sentences like this may not be essential to getting by, understanding how they’re used can help you better understand these particles. Let’s have a closer look!
Unagi sentences like the one in the introduction work because they include the particle は[wa] after the subject. As you may recall, the Japanese particle は[wa] typically follows a noun that you could translate into English as following an expression like “as for [noun]...” or “speaking of [noun]...”.
ジョンは先生です。
Jon wa sensei desu.
As for John, (he) is a teacher.
私の弟は15さいです。
Watashi no otōto wa 15 sai desu.
As for my younger brother, (he) is 15 years old.
Given that context, let’s look again at the conversation from the introduction.
何をにぎりましょうか。
Nani o nigirimashō ka.
What sushi shall (I) make?
私はマグロが食べたいわ。
Watashi wa maguro ga tabetai wa.
As for me, (I) want to eat tuna.
僕はうなぎだ。
Boku wa unagi da.
As for me, eel.
So Customer B is not saying that they’re an eel, they’re just describing their desired order! Though 僕はうなぎだ could be translated as “I am an eel” in some contexts, in this context it has a different contextual meaning!
Depending on the context, the は[wa] of an unagi sentence can be replaced by the particles が[ga] or も[mo].
It will help to recall these two uses of these particles from our posts on the particle が[ga] and the particle も[mo]:
が[ga] follows new information, such as the answer to a question or something you’ve just noticed. Think “It’s [noun] that…”
も[mo] tends to follow a parallel element, something that has a similarity with something discussed before. Think “[noun] also…”
Let’s get back to the sushi shop. Let’s imagine that while customers A and B are eating sushi, a group of 10 of their co-workers entered this sushi shop. So, customers A and B decide to join them, moving to a bigger table, where 12 customers can eat together. After they order drinks at this big table, a waiter brings the drinks. On his tray, there are many kinds of drinks. The waiter doesn’t remember who ordered what. He asks …
アイスティーをご注文の方はどちらですか？
Aisutii o gochūmon no kata wa dochira desu ka.
As for the one [who] ordered the iced tea, who/where are [you]?
あ、私がアイスティーです。
A, watashi ga aisutii desu.
Oh, it’s me who [ordered] iced tea.
僕もアイスティーです。
Boku mo aisutii desu.
I also [ordered] iced tea.
lit. As for me, also iced tea.
私は違います。私はあつい緑茶です。
Watashi wa chigaimasu. Watashi wa atsui ryokucha desu.
As for me, [I am] different. As for me, hot green tea.
Notice that all three customers used unagi sentences! Depending on context, each one could have been translated as “I am a [drink],” but in context their meaning is different!
The waiter can understand their intended meaning because the restaurant context provides mutual knowledge — they all know that they’re talking about who has what order, so they can use this sort of abbreviated speech.
Here’s what to remember about “unagi” sentences in Japanese:
An “unagi” sentence is a sentence that literally means “x is y” but, in the context of a conversation, is translated a little differently.
You’re likely to hear these when ordering or receiving food in a group setting, but you might hear them in other situations as well. To understand an unagi sentence, everyone will have to be on the same page about what is going on!
Unagi sentences are a great way to practice the differences between the particles は[wa], が[ga] and も[mo].
Why don’t you check out these exercises on unagi sentences to practice a bit more?
