釣り

• Reading: つり
• Romaji: tsuri
• Kanji breakdown: 釣 (chou/tsu) — fishing, to angle
• Pronunciation: /tsɯ.ɾi/

Meaning

Fishing; the activity of catching fish, typically as a hobby or sport.

A noun derived from the verb 釣る (tsuru, to fish/catch). Used for recreational and sport fishing. Common compounds: 釣り竿 (tsuri-zao, fishing rod), 釣り人 (tsuri-bito, angler), 釣り堀 (tsuri-bori, fishing pond). Also has a secondary meaning of change (money returned), as in お釣り (otsuri).

Examples

1. 週末に友達と海で釣りをした。 I went fishing at the ocean with my friends over the weekend.
2. 祖父は毎朝川に釣りに行く。 My grandfather goes fishing at the river every morning.
3. 釣りは忍耐力が必要な趣味だと思う。 I think fishing is a hobby that requires patience.

Usage Guide

Context: hobbies, outdoors, recreation

Tone: casual

Origin & History

Noun form of 釣る. The kanji 釣 combines 金 (metal) and 勺 (ladle/scoop), evoking the image of using a metal hook to scoop fish from the water.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal