What Does “Sake” Mean Really?

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Today we’re going to talk about what sake really means in Japanese — a bit of history about the word, and the different places you’ll find “sake” in Japan.

If you’ve spent any time exploring Japanese alcohol, you’ve probably encountered a bit of linguistic confusion: What exactly does “sake” mean? In English, “sake” is commonly used to refer to Japan’s iconic rice wine. However, in Japan, the word has a much broader meaning.

In Japanese, “sake” (written 酒) is a general term for alcohol. It encompasses everything from beer to whiskey, wine, and cocktails. If you ask for “sake” in Japan without any further context, you might be met with a puzzled look or a clarifying question: “What kind of sake?” If you’re looking for what English speakers call sake, the Japanese term is nihonshu (pronounced “knee-hone-shoe” and written 日本酒), which literally means “Japan-alcohol.”

A Brief History of the Terms

The Japanese history of using rice to ferment delicious beverages dates back over a thousand years. Historically, the term sake was used to describe these drinks, which makes sense as it was essentially the only alcohol around at the time. However, as Japan began to encounter and incorporate alcoholic beverages from other cultures, such as beer and wine, a need arose to distinguish the native rice-based alcohol from the newer, foreign imports.

During the Meiji period — primarily the late 1800s — a time marked by significant cultural and industrial exchange, the aforementioned term “nihonshu” began to gain prominence. It was adopted to specifically identify that traditional Japanese sake made from rice, setting it apart from other alcoholic beverages. Notably, in 1872, nihonshu made its official debut at the Vienna International Exposition under the name, which clearly framed it as a unique cultural product of Japan.

So, Why Does English Use “Sake”?

The taking of “sake” to mean “nihonshu” in English likely comes from early cultural exchanges between Japan and the West. When Western traders, travelers, and writers first encountered Japanese rice wine, they adopted what they heard it referred to as most, which at the time would have been “sake,” without realizing that the term had a broader meaning. Over time, this usage became ingrained in English, creating a linguistic shortcut that, in modern times, has long disappeared in Japan itself.

Where You’ll See “Sake” Nowadays

You’ll often see the word “sake” prominently displayed on signage at restaurants and stores. Liquor stores, known as sakaya (written 酒屋, with “sake” being the first character), often offer extensive selections of nihonshu, shochu, Japanese whisky, and other spirits. Izakaya (written 居酒屋), the places most working folk go to eat and drink, feature the character for sake in their name as well. Also, any alcoholic drink you find in a can or bottle will have the character for sake printed on the label or top.

Sake’s significance also extends into cultural and religious traditions. In Shinto rituals, sake, which is referred to as “omiki” (written お神酒) is offered to the gods. Many festivals also incorporate sake through normal selling, ceremonial offerings, or communal drinking.

If you’re interested in learning more about sake, you can check out Amazon’s selection of books on it here.