Definition

1. Noun:
   • Aperitif: An alcoholic beverage, typically light and dry, served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. The term directly translates to "appetizer wine" or "appetite-opening wine."

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trước bữa tối, chúng tôi thường uống một chút rượu khai vị. (Before dinner, we usually have a little aperitif.)
  • Nhà hàng này có một danh sách rượu khai vị rất phong phú. (This restaurant has a very rich list of aperitifs.)
  • Anh ấy gọi một ly rượu khai vị trong khi chờ bạn. (He ordered an aperitif while waiting for his friend.)

Advanced Usage

• The concept of rượu khai vị is central to dining culture, especially in formal or social meals. It is not meant to be drunk quickly but sipped slowly while conversing and preparing the palate for the food to come.
• It is often served with small snacks or nuts.

Variants and Related Words

• Khai vị (verb/noun): To appetize / appetizer. This is the root concept. Rượu khai vị is a specific type of đồ khai vị (appetizer).
• Rượu mạnh khai vị (noun): A stronger spirit, like gin or vodka, served as an aperitif.
• Cocktail khai vị (noun): An aperitif cocktail, such as a Dry Martini or a Kir.

Synonyms

• Đồ uống trước bữa ăn: Pre-meal drink (a more general, descriptive term).
• Rượu kích thích vị giác: Appetite-stimulating wine (a literal, descriptive synonym).

Related Phrases

• Món khai vị (noun): Appetizer, starter (food).
• Uống khai vị (verb phrase): To have an aperitif.
  • Chúng ta hãy uống khai vị một chút đã. (Let's have an aperitif first.)

1. Aperitif