熱燗
atsukan
熱燗 (atsukan) is the Japanese phrase for hot sake.
The term 熱燗 specifically refers to sake that has been heated to a warm temperature, typically served in small ceramic cups or vessels.
Which one should you use?
The opposite of 熱燗 (hot sake) is 冷酒 (cold sake).
How do you pronounce it?
atsukan
Did you know?
- The word 燗 is so specialized that you cannot use it to describe warming other liquids, such as coffee or tea, which would instead use the general word for heating 温める (atatameru).
- Historically, heating sake was a way to make the alcohol taste sweeter and feel smoother, helping to mask the harshness of lower-quality brews from previous centuries.
- In many traditional izakaya, the temperature of your 熱燗 is not just 'hot' but is often specifically chosen by the customer as 'ぬる燗' (lukewarm) or '熱燗' (hot) to suit their palate.
Examples in context
- すみません、あつかんをください。Excuse me, may I have hot sake, please?
- 熱燗を二つお願いします。atsukan o futatsu onegaishimasu.Two hot sakes, please.
- 寒い日は熱燗が美味しいです。samui hi wa atsukan ga oishii desu.Hot sake is delicious on cold days.
- 熱燗は温かいですね。atsukan wa atatakai desu ne.The hot sake is nice and warm.
Example conversation
Two people are sitting at a traditional Japanese izakaya in winter.
- 美咲 Misaki今日は寒いから、熱燗にしましょう。kyou wa samui kara, atsukan ni shimashou.It is cold today, so let's have hot sake.
- 陽太 Yotaいいですね。熱燗を頼みます。ii desu ne. atsukan o tanomimasu.That sounds good. I will order hot sake.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんの熱燗、温かそうですね。yōta-san no atsukan, atatakasou desu ne.Yota's hot sake looks nice and warm.
- 陽太 Yotaとても美味しいですよ。totemo oishii desu yo.It is very delicious.
