杯
は
い
Meanings
2
counter for cupfuls, bowlfuls, spoonfuls
Used for servings of food or drink measured by a container. Often used with ご飯, スープ, etc.
Please give me a bowl of rice.
I had two more servings of soup.
3
Rare counter for small boats, especially traditional Japanese boats. Modern usage is limited.
Three small boats were moored at the fishing port.
4
counter for octopuses and squid
Specialized counter used in fishing and culinary contexts for whole octopus or squid.
I bought two live octopuses at the market.
5
Suffix used in sports tournament names, e.g., アジア杯 (Asian Cup).
See also: アジア杯
The soccer World Cup is also written as 'W杯'.
Usage patterns
- 杯を干すto drain one's cup (of sake)
He drained his cup in one gulp.
- 〈物〉を〈数〉杯飲むto drink ... cups/bowls of something
I drank a cup of coffee.
- イカを〈数〉杯釣るto catch ... squid
Today I caught five squid.
- ご飯を〈数〉杯食べるto eat ... bowls of rice
I ate three bowls of rice.
Expressions
- 一杯やるhave a drink; have a few drinks
- 杯を重ねるdrink cup after cup; have many drinks
- ちょっと一杯let's have a quick drink
- 苦杯をなめるdrink a bitter cup; have a bitter experience; suffer a defeat
- 阿呆の三杯汁only a fool asks for more than one extra helping; only fools are gluttons
- 居候三杯目にはそっと出しa freeloader hesitantly asks for a third helping of rice