酌(く)む

くむ
godan verb
to pour (sake), to serve drinks
1. to pour, to serve sake
To fill a cup with sake or other alcoholic beverages.
お酒(さけ)を酌(く)む。
To pour sake.
上司(じょうし)にお酒(さけ)を酌(く)んであげた。
I poured sake for my boss.
友人(ゆうじん)と酒(さけ)を酌(く)み交(か)わしながら、昔(むかし)の話(はなし)をした。
While exchanging drinks with a friend, we talked about old times.
2. to consider, to take into account
To give consideration to circumstances.
事情(じじょう)を酌(く)む。
To take the circumstances into account.
相手(あいて)の気持(きも)ちを酌(く)んでほしい。
I want you to consider the other person's feelings.
彼(かれ)の立場(たちば)を酌(く)んで、もう少(すこ)し時間(じかん)をあげよう。
Let's consider his position and give him a little more time.

酌(く)む means to pour sake or alcoholic drinks for someone, and figuratively to consider someone's feelings.

TRANSITIVITY:

  • Type: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive)

MEANINGS:
1. To pour sake: お酒(さけ)を酌(く)む
2. To consider/take into account: 事情(じじょう)を酌(く)む (to consider circumstances)

HOMOPHONE DISTINCTION:

  • 酌(く)む: to pour sake
  • 汲(く)む: to draw/scoop water
  • 組(く)む: to assemble, to cross (arms/legs)

RELATED EXPRESSIONS:

  • 酌(しゃく)をする: to pour drinks (for someone)
  • 晩酌(ばんしゃく): evening drink
  • お酌(しゃく): pouring drinks (polite)

CULTURE:
Pouring drinks for others (酌(しゃく)をする) is an important social custom in Japan, showing respect and building relationships.

general
Added 2026.1.9 18:15 · Revised 2026.2.23 12:00
02000/02464_kumu