盃(さかずき)

さかずき
noun
sake cup
formaltoolculture
1. sake cup, ceremonial cup
A small, flat, dish-shaped cup used for drinking sake. Traditionally made of lacquerware or ceramic. Strongly associated with ceremonial occasions such as weddings, New Year celebrations, and formal pledges.
盃(さかずき)を交(か)わす。
To exchange sake cups.
新郎(しんろう)新婦(しんぷ)が三々九度(さんさんくど)の盃(さかずき)を行(おこな)った。
The bride and groom performed the san-san-kudo ceremony of sharing sake cups.
祝(いわ)いの席(せき)で、上司(じょうし)から盃(さかずき)を受(う)けた。
At the celebration, I received a sake cup from my boss.

Usage

Carries a formal, ceremonial nuance. The phrase 盃(さかずき)を交(か)わす (to exchange cups) implies forming a bond or pledge — historically used in rituals of loyalty, brotherhood, or marriage. In everyday drinking, おちょこ or 猪口(ちょこ) is more common for the small cup.

Writing

The character 盃(さかずき) combines 不(ふ) and 皿(さら) (dish). An older form 杯(はい) exists and is used in counting cups (一杯(いっぱい)).

Common collocations

Related Words

Compare: グラス (glass (drinking), glasses (eyewear))
Compare: ぐい呑(の)み (sake cup)
general
Added 2026.2.26 21:52 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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