ウォッカ
wokka[β̞o̞k̚ka̠]
The Japanese word for vodka is ウォッカ (wokka). Wiktionary also lists ヴォートカ (vōtoka) and ヴォッカ (vokka).
Meaning: clear distilled alcoholic liquor (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ウォッカ | wokka | [β̞o̞k̚ka̠] (narrow) |
| ヴォートカ | vōtoka | |
| ヴォッカ | vokka | [bo̞k̚ka̠] (narrow) |
The term refers to the clear distilled alcoholic liquor.
Which one should you use?
While ヴォッカ (vokka) and ヴォートカ (vōtoka) exist as phonetic transcriptions of the 'v' sound, ウォッカ (wokka) is the standard and most widely used form in Japanese.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, ウォッカ does not change its form for pluralization or case, but it is typically followed by particles like を (object marker) or が (subject marker) in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
wokka
Did you know?
- Because ウォッカ is a loanword written in katakana, it is sometimes stylized in artistic fonts or advertisements using the character ヴ to appear more 'exotic' or 'European' despite the standard 'w' pronunciation.
- Japanese bartenders may use the phrase ストレート (straight) when serving ウォッカ without ice or mixers, a term borrowed from English rather than using a native Japanese word.
- Because ウォッカ is a loanword, it is written in katakana, the script used specifically for foreign names and objects. This visually signals to a reader immediately that the word is not of Japanese origin.
Examples in context
- ウォッカが欲しいのかい？Do you want some vodka?This sentence is useful for asking if someone wants vodka.Tatoeba #9583448 by Sim5634, translation #9483605 by DJ_Saidez
- トムはウォッカを飲んだ。Tom drank vodka.This sentence is useful for stating that someone drank vodka.Tatoeba #11952852 by bunbuku, translation #8416518 by CK
- ウォッカマティーニをお願いします。A vodka martini, please.This sentence is useful for ordering a vodka martini.Tatoeba #228291 by bunbuku, translation #65646 by CM
- お店にはウォッカがありますか？Do you have vodka at your store?
- ウォッカとオレンジジュースのカクテルをください。Can I have a vodka and orange juice cocktail, please?
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are at a bar choosing drinks.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さんは、次は何を飲みますか？Kenta-san wa, tsugi wa nani o nomimasu ka?Kenta, what will you drink next?
- 健太 Kenta僕はウォッカのトニックをお願いします。Boku wa wokka no tonikku o onegaishimasu.I'll have a vodka tonic, please.
- 美咲 Misakiいいですね。私もそれにします。Ii desu ne. Watashi mo sore ni shimasu.That sounds good. I'll have the same.
- 健太 Kentaじゃあ、一緒に注文しようか。Jaa, issho ni chuumon shiyou ka.Then, shall we order together?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vodka” translations and entries ウォッカ, ヴォッカ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
