お猪口
ochoko
The English phrase "sake cup" is translated into Japanese as お猪口 (ochoko).
The term refers to a small ceramic cup used for drinking Japanese rice wine. While お猪口 is the standard term for a small sake cup, other specific types exist: Guinomi (ぐい呑み) is a small, cylindrical cup typically made of ceramic or porcelain and ki-ochoko refers specifically to a wooden sake cup. In the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture, you may encounter hinoki (檜) ochoko, which are traditional cedar sake cups.
Which one should you use?
お猪口 describes a small, standard sake cup, which contrasts with sakazuki (盃), a larger and often flat ceremonial cup used during formal rituals or celebrations. Additionally, ochoko can be used without the polite prefix o as choko.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form choko is more commonly heard in Western Japan.
How do you pronounce it?
ochoko
When do people say it?
In Japanese culture, different vessels are used for different purposes. While お猪口 is for standard drinking, sakazuki (盃) is reserved for formal events such as weddings or other celebrations.
Did you know?
- The term お猪口 contains the character for 'pig' 猪, though it has no relation to the animal. It is believed the name comes from the cup's shape resembling a pig's snout.
- The term ぐい呑み comes from the word gui, which is the onomatopoeia for the sound of gulping a drink in one go.
- In certain traditional ceremonies, a sakazuki is used to symbolize a blood bond or a formal alliance, known as sakazuki o kawasu.
Examples in context
- 日本では、おちょこやちょこが一般的に日本酒の小さなカップとして使われています。In Japan, ochoko or choko are commonly used as small cups for sake.
- 関西地方では、日本酒を飲む時にぐい呑みがよく使われます。In the Kansai region, guinomi is commonly used when drinking sake.
- 日本酒の木製のカップは、雰囲気があって良いですね。Wooden sake cups have a nice atmosphere, don't they?
- 岐阜県飛騨地方では、檜のおちょこが伝統的に使われています。In the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture, traditional cedar sake cups are commonly used.
- 新しいお猪口を買いました。Atarashii ochoko o kaimashita.I bought a new sake cup.
- このお猪口はとても小さいですね。Kono ochoko wa totemo chiisai desu ne.This sake cup is very small, isn't it?
- お猪口を洗ってください。Ochoko o aratte kudasai.Please wash the sake cup.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are preparing for a small party at home.
- 結衣 Yui陽太、お猪口はどこにある？Yota, ochoko wa doko ni aru?Yota, where are the sake cups?
- 陽太 Yota棚の上にありますよ。Tana no ue ni arimasu yo.They are on the shelf.
- 結衣 Yuiあ、見つけた！A, mitsuketa!Ah, I found them!
- 陽太 Yotaそれを使って準備しましょう。Sore o tsukatte junbi shimashou.Let's use them to get ready.
