酒屋(さかや)

A compound of 酒(さけ) (sake, alcohol) and 屋(や) (shop, store). The 屋(や) suffix is a common word-forming element for shops and their proprietors.

Common collocations

• 酒屋(さかや)で買(か)う (to buy at a liquor store)
• 町(まち)の酒屋(さかや) (the local liquor store)
• 酒屋(さかや)の配達(はいたつ) (liquor store delivery)

Traditional 酒屋(さかや) were neighborhood shops that primarily sold sake, beer, and other drinks, often providing delivery service. While many have been replaced by convenience stores and supermarkets, some survive as specialty shops with curated selections of Japanese sake and other alcoholic beverages.