Translation guide
The English verb "brew" has two main meanings: making beer (or similar fermented drinks) and making hot drinks like tea or coffee. In Japanese, different verbs are used for these contexts. This guide covers both, plus related nouns and expressions.
To produce beer, sake, or other alcoholic drinks by fermentation
The standard verb for brewing alcoholic beverages like beer, sake, or wine. Used in formal and technical contexts.
This factory brews beer.
A more general verb meaning 'to make' or 'to produce'. When used for alcoholic drinks, it implies brewing. Common in everyday language.
Brewing sake is difficult.
Specifically refers to the preparation stage of brewing, such as mixing ingredients and starting fermentation. Often used for sake or soy sauce.
The master brewer prepares the sake mash.
To prepare a hot drink by steeping or infusing
The most common verb for brewing tea or coffee. It implies careful preparation, often with hot water.
Shall I brew some coffee?
You're good at brewing tea.
A more general verb meaning 'to put in' or 'to pour'. Often used casually for making tea or coffee, but can sound less refined than 淹れる.
To brew by boiling or decocting, often used for herbal teas or medicinal infusions. Can sound old-fashioned or technical.
A drink made by brewing, especially beer
The standard word for beer. Note that in Japanese, 'beer' specifically refers to malt-based brews, while low-malt or non-malt drinks have different names.
I want a cold brew (beer).
Craft beer or local brew. Literally 'local beer'.
A technical term for brewed alcoholic beverages (as opposed to distilled or compounded). Includes beer, sake, wine, etc.
To be forming or gathering force, usually negative
A phrase meaning 'is beginning to happen' or 'is brewing'. Used for abstract things like trouble or a crisis.
Trouble is brewing.
Means 'is approaching' or 'is imminent'. Can be used for storms or crises.
A storm is brewing.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'a touch-and-go situation' or 'a powder keg ready to explode'. Used when a conflict is brewing.
Both can be used for making tea or coffee, but 淹れる (ireru) specifically means 'to brew' with care, while 入れる (ireru) is a general verb for 'putting in' and can sound casual. In writing or polite speech, 淹れる is preferred for tea and coffee. Note that both are pronounced the same (ireru) but written with different kanji.
醸造する (jōzō suru) is only for alcoholic fermentation. Using it for tea or coffee would sound very strange. Use 淹れる or 入れる instead.
I made (brewed) tea.
漢方薬を煎じる。
Brew herbal medicine.
この町の地ビールは美味しい。
The local brew in this town is delicious.
ビールは醸造酒の一種です。
Beer is a type of brewed beverage.
Trouble is brewing between the two countries.