Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| お酒 | osake | [o̞sa̠ke̞] (narrow) |
| アルコール | arukōru | [a̠ɾɯ̟ko̞ːɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 酒 | sake | [sa̠ke̞] (narrow) [sa̠ka̠] (narrow) |
In Japan, the most common term for alcohol is 酒, which can refer to traditional Japanese rice wine or to alcoholic beverages in general.
Which one should you use?
お酒 refers to the beverage itself in a general sense, whereas アルコール is used in a technical or chemical context, such as when discussing 'alcohol content'. The form 酒 is more blunt or clinical than お酒 and is frequently used in compound words or when describing the physical properties or smell of alcohol.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お酒 is the most common and polite way to refer to alcohol in daily conversation. Adding the honorific お before 酒 makes the word more formal and polite. In strictly legal or formal contexts, the term 酒類 is used to encompass all alcoholic beverages.
How do you pronounce it?
osake
Did you know?
- In Japanese drinking culture, it is customary to pour drinks for others rather than yourself, as filling your own glass is often seen as selfish.
- The term お酒 may have historical roots as 'women's language', a type of refined vocabulary used in certain social circles.
- In Japan, 'alcohol' is often discussed using the phrase お酒が強い (osake ga tsuyoi), which literally means 'alcohol is strong' to describe someone with a high tolerance.
Examples in context
- お酒は苦手です。I don't like alcohol.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for alcohol.Tatoeba #11926656 by small_snow, translation #9806547 by ddnktr
- お酒は飲めないの。I can't drink alcohol.This sentence is useful for stating an inability to drink alcohol.Tatoeba #9826790 by small_snow, translation #890386 by Scott
- トムは酒臭かった。Tom reeked of alcohol.This sentence is useful for describing someone who smells of alcohol.Tatoeba #10536848 by small_snow, translation #2803037 by Hybrid
- お酒をください。Please give me some alcohol.
- ビールをください。Please give me some beer.
- 飲みに行きませんか？Would you like to go for a drink?
- お気に入りのお酒は何ですか？What is your favorite type of alcohol?
- 66 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are deciding what to buy at a convenience store.
- 陽太 Yota何かお酒を買っていこうか。Nanika osake o katte ikou ka.Shall we buy some alcohol?
- 結衣 Yuiいいですね。何がいいですか。Ii desu ne. Nani ga ii desu ka.That sounds good. What would you like?
- 陽太 Yota結衣さんは、どんなお酒が好き？Yui-san wa, donna osake ga suki?Yui, what kind of alcohol do you like?
- 結衣 Yui私はワインが一番好きです。Watashi wa wain ga ichiban suki desu.I like wine the most.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alcohol” translations and entries お酒, アルコール, 酒, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries お酒, アルコール, 酒, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
