sake
/ˈsɑː.ki/
Japanese Origin
Food & Drink
Original Word
酒
Kanji (sake)
Entered English
17th century
First recorded usage in English
The Story Behind "sake"
From Japanese 'sake' (酒), meaning 'alcohol' in general; in Japanese, the rice wine is specifically called 'nihonshu'. The word entered English through early trade contacts. In Japanese, 'sake' broadly refers to any alcoholic beverage.
Example Usage
"We ordered hot sake to go with our sushi platter."