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酒

On'yomi
シュ
SHU
Kun'yomi
さけ・さか-
sake / saka

sake · alcohol

Details

Strokes10
Frequency#1006
Radical酉wine(7)

Stroke Order

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Strokes10

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of water and wine vessel. Water of wine vessel.

Symbolism

Japanese sake, banquet, celebration. Represents alcohol.

Seasonal

Many seasonal events enjoy sake: cherry blossom viewing (spring), moon viewing (autumn), snow viewing (winter). New sake is a winter tradition.

Component Breakdown

酒=
氵酉

left-right: water + 酉

Words & Expressions

Words written with 酒

酒場さかばbar
日本酒にほんしゅsake
酒屋さかやbrewer
禁酒きんしゅtemperance
酒税しゅぜいliquor tax

Four-Character Compounds

酒池肉林

しゅちにくりん

sumptuous feast; debauch

紅灯緑酒

こうとうりょくしゅ

(nights of) fun, food, and drink; bright-light district; nightlife district

美酒佳肴

びしゅかこう

fine wines and prized delicacies

Proverbs & Idioms

酒は百薬の長

さけはひゃくやくのちょう

Sake is the best of all medicines

Alcohol in moderation is good for health

Anime & Manga

もやしもん

Moyashimon

anime/manga

Depicts fermentation (sake brewing) at an agricultural university. Protagonist can see microbes.

お酒は夫婦になってから

Love is Like a Cocktail

Anime

A well-known work with 酒 in its Japanese title.

Games

龍が如く

Yakuza(2005)

PlayStation/PC

Developer: Sega

Adult entertainment including minigames drinking 'sake' at hostess clubs.

View on Amazon →

Related Figures & Stories

酒井抱一

Sakai Hōitsu1761–1828

Name contains 酒

Sakai Hōitsu was a Japanese painter of the Rinpa school.

Wikipedia

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 酒 mean in Japanese?

酒 means sake, alcohol.

How do you read 酒?

On'yomi: シュ (SHU). Kun'yomi: さけ、さか- (sake, saka).

How many strokes does 酒 have?

酒 has 10 strokes. Its radical is 酉 (wine).

Is 酒 a good kanji for a tattoo?

酒 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means sake, alcohol. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.

Explore by meaning:sake · alcohol