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.
夕食にワインを飲みました。
I drank wine with dinner.
このワインはフランス産です。
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).
この梅ワインは甘くて飲みやすいです。
This plum wine is sweet and easy to drink.
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.
料理酒を少々加えます。
Add a little cooking wine.
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.
酒を飲みに行きませんか？
Would you like to go for a drink? (not specifically sake)
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.
白ワインより赤ワインの方が好きです。
I prefer red wine to white wine.
このワインはチーズによく合います。
This wine goes well with cheese.
この地域ではワインを生産しています。
They produce wine in this region.
We toured a wine brewery.
Red wine. The prefix 赤 (red) is used.
赤ワインをグラスでください。
A glass of red wine, please.
White wine. The prefix 白 (white) is used.
白ワインは冷やして飲みます。
White wine is drunk chilled.
Rosé wine. Loanword from French 'rosé'.
夏にはロゼワインが人気です。
Rosé wine is popular in summer.
Sparkling wine in general. Loanword from English.
お祝いにスパークリングワインを開けました。
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.
シャンパンで乾杯しましょう。
Let's toast with champagne.
日本酒は米から作られます。
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.
酒を温めてください。
Please warm the sake.
General term for fruit wine. More formal or categorical.
果実酒の作り方を教えてください。
Please teach me how to make fruit wine.
Specify 料理用 (for cooking) if using regular wine.
料理用の赤ワインを使います。
I use red wine for cooking.
ワインが好きですか？
Do you like wine?
ぶどう酒は古くから作られています。
Wine has been made since ancient times.
Do you like wine?
ぶどう酒は古くから作られています。
Wine has been made since ancient times.