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酒

酒·sake, alcohol

On-yomi
しゅ
Kun-yomi
さけさか-

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
お酒おさけalcohol, sake
日本酒にほんしゅJapanese sake
居酒屋いざかやizakaya, Japanese pub
飲酒いんしゅdrinking alcohol

Example sentences

  1. 父は毎晩お酒を少し飲みます。

    ちちはまいばんおさけをすこしのみます。

    My father drinks a little alcohol every evening.

  2. 仕事の後で同僚と居酒屋に行きました。

    しごとのあとでどうりょうといざかやにいきました。

    After work I went to an izakaya with my colleagues.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 日本酒 as にほんざけ instead of にほんしゅ
  • Reading 居酒屋 as いさかや — the さ voices: いざかや

Memory aid

Picture it

Water 氵 poured from the wine jar 酉 — liquid kept in a jar until it is drink.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 酒 mean?