saké

A bottle of saké sits on a wooden table next to two small ceramic cups.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A Japanese alcoholic beverage: "saké" refers to a fermented rice drink, typically served warm, that is a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage.
   • Benefit or interest: In a less common usage, "saké" can mean advantage, benefit, or purpose (from the phrase "for the sake of").

2. Proper Noun:

   • A brand or term: "Saké" may also be used as a trade name for certain Japanese rice wines.

Usage Examples

• Noun (beverage):

  • We ordered a bottle of saké with our sushi dinner. (A traditional Japanese rice wine.)
  • In Japan, saké is often served in small ceramic cups. (The drink is presented in specific vessels.)

• Noun (benefit):

  • He did it for the saké of his family. (For the benefit or welfare of his family.)

Advanced Usage

• "for the saké of": used to indicate purpose or reason.

  • She stayed quiet for the saké of peace. (She remained silent to maintain harmony.)

• "saké brewer": a person or company that produces saké.

  • The saké brewer uses special rice and water to create the drink. (The producer follows traditional methods.)

Variants and Related Words

• Saké (also spelled sake): the more common English spelling; both are acceptable.

  • The menu listed several types of sake. (The beverage in various grades.)

• Saké cup (n): a small cup used for drinking saké.

  • The saké cup was made of fine porcelain. (The vessel for serving the drink.)

Synonyms

• Rice wine: a general term for alcoholic beverages made from fermented rice.
• Nihonshu: the Japanese term for saké, meaning "Japanese alcohol."

Phrasal Verbs

• Drink saké: to consume the beverage.

  • They drank saké to celebrate the New Year. (They consumed the Japanese rice wine.)

• Pour saké: to serve the drink.

  • He poured saké into her cup as a gesture of respect. (He served the beverage.)

Related Idioms

• For the saké of argument: for the purpose of discussion.

  • For the saké of argument, let's assume the plan works. (For the purpose of debating the idea.)

• For old times' saké: in memory of past experiences.

  • They met for old times' saké at their favourite café. (To reminisce about shared history.)