鯖を読む
Japanese
| Kanji in this term | |
|---|---|
| 鯖 | 読 |
| さば Hyōgaiji | よ Grade: 2 |
| kun’yomi | |
Etymology
From a supposedly common act of fishmongers who forge or misrepresent the amount of 鯖 (“mackerel”) they sell in a bulk
Verb
鯖を読む (godan conjugation, hiragana さばをよむ, rōmaji saba o yomu)
- (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
- 鯖読み (sabayomi, “manipulation of figures”)
- 逆鯖 (gyakusaba, “presenting oneself as older than their actual age”)