Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

スナック (すなっく, sunakku) Japanese meaning: snack | Kotomora

スナック

す

な

っ

く

Common word›Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

snack; light meal

General term for a light, casual meal or snack, similar to English 'snack'.

午ご後ご３時じにスナックを食たべた。

I had a snack at 3 p.m.

2

snack bar; small bar

abbreviation

Abbreviation of スナックバー. Refers to a small, often cozy bar that serves alcohol and light snacks, typically with a counter and a mama-san.

See also: スナックバー

駅えき前まえのスナックで一いっ杯ぱいやった。
I had a drink at a snack bar near the station.

3

snack food; munchies

abbreviation

Abbreviation of スナック菓子. Refers to packaged snack foods like potato chips, popcorn, and similar items.

See also: スナック菓子 (スナックがし)

映えい画がを見みながらスナックを食たべる。
I eat snacks while watching a movie.

Usage patterns

スナックをつまむto nibble on a snack
仕し事ごとの合あい間まにスナックをつまんだ。
I nibbled on a snack between work tasks.
〈場ば所しょ〉のスナックに行いくto go to a snack bar (in a certain area)
駅えき前まえのスナックに行いって一いっ杯ぱいやった。
I went to a snack bar near the station and had a drink.
スナックの袋ふくろを開あけるto open a bag of snack food
テレビを見みながらスナックの袋ふくろを開あけた。
I opened a bag of snacks while watching TV.
スナックで飲のむto drink at a snack bar
上じょう司しとスナックで飲のんだ後あと、タクシーで帰かえった。
After drinking with my boss at a snack bar, I took a taxi home.

Related words

おやつN3sense 1
おやつ is the native Japanese word for a snack, especially an afternoon treat, while スナック is the borrowed English term used more generally for light food.
スナックバー sense 2
スナックバー is the full, formal name of the establishment; スナック is the everyday shortened form used in casual speech.
スナック菓子がし sense 3
スナック菓子 is the full term for packaged snack food; スナック is the common abbreviation heard in everyday conversation.
軽けい食しょく
スナック is a loanword for snack foods like chips or candy, whereas 軽食 covers a broader range of light meals such as sandwiches or salads.

Counted with

品ひんN2
elegance; grace; refinement; class; dignity · article; item; goods · counter for items (food, dishes, courses)

Word family

スナック菓子がし
snack food; munchies
スナック麺めん
snack noodle
スナックバー
snack bar (serving alcohol)
スナックエンドウ
snap pea; sugar snap pea
コインスナック

Etymology

Loanword from English 'snack'.

coin-operated snack bar; vending-machine restaurant

ホットスナック

hot snack; hot food from a convenience store