1.
Japanese sake, Japanese rice wine
An alcoholic beverage brewed from rice, water, and koji mold. The term specifically distinguishes traditional Japanese alcohol from foreign alcoholic drinks.
Usage
日本酒 specifically means sake brewed in the Japanese tradition, as distinct from 洋酒 (Western liquor) or other foreign drinks. In casual speech, Japanese people often say simply お酒 or 酒, which can mean either sake specifically or alcohol in general depending on context.
Common collocations
Cultural note
Sake brewing has a long history in Japan. Key terms include 純米酒 (pure rice sake), 吟醸 (premium sake), and 大吟醸 (super premium sake).