fischig

Fischig is a German adjective that denotes a relation to fish or a fish-like quality. The primary usage is sensory: something can be described as fischig when it smells of fish or tastes of fish. It can also describe visuals or textures that recall fish, such as a fish-like pattern or a scale-like appearance, though this usage is less common.

Etymology: The term derives from Fisch (fish) with the adjectival suffix -ig, which forms adjectives meaning "characteristic of" or "having the nature of."

Usage: In culinary or gastronomic contexts, fischig indicates a smell or flavor that is fishy. In product or sensory descriptions, it can warn of a fishy odor or taste. In standard German, fischig does not routinely carry the strong figurative sense that the English word fishy sometimes has (as in suspicious); for such connotations, other terms like verdächtig or zweifelhaft are typically used. To express a general fish-like quality without evaluative nuance, speakers may also use fischartig or fischähnlich.

See also: Fisch, Fischgeruch, Fischgericht, Geschmack.