Translation guide
The English word 'wine' generally refers to an alcoholic drink made from fermented grapes. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is ワイン, a loanword from English. However, there are also traditional Japanese terms like ぶどう酒 and specific types such as 日本酒 (sake) which is sometimes called 'rice wine' in English, though it's brewed differently. This guide covers how to express 'wine' in various contexts.
To refer to wine made from grapes, the most common meaning.
The standard loanword for wine, used in almost all contexts. It covers red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines.
I drank wine with dinner.
This wine is from France.
Literally 'grape alcohol', a more traditional Japanese term. It's understood but less common in everyday speech; often seen in formal or written contexts.
To specify the type of grape wine.
To refer to sparkling wines, including Champagne.
To refer to Japanese sake, often called 'rice wine' in English, though it's brewed like beer.
Japanese sake. The most accurate term. Note that in English 'sake' can refer to any alcohol, but in Japanese 酒 (さけ) alone means alcohol in general.
To refer to wine made from fruits other than grapes.
Attach the fruit name to ワイン. E.g., 梅ワイン (plum wine), いちごワイン (strawberry wine).
To refer to wine used in cooking.
Cooking sake, but often used generically for cooking wine. Note that 料理酒 usually contains salt to avoid liquor tax.
In English, 'sake' specifically means Japanese rice wine. In Japanese, 酒 (さけ) is a general term for alcoholic beverages. To refer to the rice wine, use 日本酒 (にほんしゅ) to avoid confusion.
Would you like to go for a drink? (not specifically sake)
I prefer red wine to white wine.
ぶどう酒の醸造所を見学しました。
We toured a wine brewery.
Red wine. The prefix 赤 (red) is used.
A glass of red wine, please.
White wine. The prefix 白 (white) is used.
White wine is drunk chilled.
Rosé wine. Loanword from French 'rosé'.
Rosé wine is popular in summer.
Sparkling wine in general. Loanword from English.
We opened a sparkling wine for the celebration.
Champagne, specifically from the Champagne region of France. Often used generically for sparkling wine in casual contexts.
Let's toast with champagne.
Sake is made from rice.
Can mean sake in context, but broadly means alcohol. Use with caution; 日本酒 is clearer.
酒 alone can mean any alcoholic drink, not specifically rice wine. Use 日本酒 to avoid ambiguity.
Please warm the sake.
This plum wine is sweet and easy to drink.
General term for fruit wine. More formal or categorical.
Please teach me how to make fruit wine.
Add a little cooking wine.
Specify 料理用 (for cooking) if using regular wine.
I use red wine for cooking.
日本酒の種類が豊富な居酒屋です。
It's an izakaya with a wide variety of sake.
ワイン is the everyday word for wine. ぶどう酒 is a native Japanese word that is understood but sounds more formal or old-fashioned. Use ワイン in conversation.
Do you like wine?
Wine has been made since ancient times.
This wine goes well with cheese.
They produce wine in this region.