ビール
bīru[bʲiːɾɯ̟]
The English word "beer" is translated into Japanese as ビール (bīru). Wiktionary also lists 麦酒 (bakushu).
Meaning: alcoholic drink made of malt (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ビール | bīru | [bʲiːɾɯ̟] (narrow) | |
| 麦酒 | bakushu | [ba̠kɯ̟̊ɕɨ] (narrow) [mɯ̟ɡʲiza̠ke̞] (narrow) |
dated, rare |
ビール is the term for an alcoholic drink made of malt. In casual settings among friends or family, the word 酒 (which primarily means alcohol) can also be used to refer to beer.
Which one should you use?
The katakana form ビール is the standard way to say beer in modern daily conversation. In contrast, the kanji form 麦酒 is considered archaic or rare.
How do you pronounce it?
bīru
Did you know?
- The word ビール is not a translation of the English word 'beer' but is actually a borrowing from the Dutch word 'bier'.
- When ordering ビール in a Japanese izakaya, it is common for everyone in the group to order the same drink simultaneously to start the meal together.
- The word 麦 (mugi) used in the kanji form can also refer to wheat or oats, not just barley.
Examples in context
- ビール飲む？Do you want to drink some beer?This example shows how to ask if someone wants to drink some ビール.Tatoeba #11388430 by bunbuku, translation #6350783 by CK
- ビールって好き？Do you like beer?This example shows how to ask if someone likes ビール.Tatoeba #11554754 by bunbuku, translation #6785938 by CK
- ビールを一杯どう？What do you say to a beer?This example shows how to suggest having a glass of ビール.Tatoeba #197651 by small_snow, translation #34837 by CK
- すみません、ビールをお願いしますExcuse me, I would like a beer, please.
- 一緒にビールを飲みましょうLet's have a beer together.
- 248 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are at a restaurant looking at the drink menu.
- 結衣 Yui大翔さんは何を飲みますか？Hiroto-san wa nani o nomimasu ka?What will you drink, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hiroto僕はビールにします。Boku wa biiru ni shimasu.I'll have a beer.
- 結衣 Yuiいいですね。私もビールにします。Ii desu ne. Watashi mo biiru ni shimasu.That sounds good. I'll have a beer too.
- 大翔 Hirotoじゃあ、二つ注文しよう。Jaa, futatsu chuumon shiyou.Then, let's order two.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beer” translations and entries ビール, 麦酒, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ビール, 麦酒, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
