1.
liquor store; sake shop; liquor dealer
A shop that sells alcoholic beverages, especially sake and other Japanese liquors. Can also refer to the person who runs such a shop.
酒屋で日本酒を買った。
I bought sake at the liquor store.
駅前の酒屋は品揃えがいい。
The liquor store in front of the station has a good selection.
この通りには昔ながらの酒屋が何軒か残っている。
There are still several old-fashioned liquor stores remaining on this street.
A compound of 酒 (sake, alcohol) and 屋 (shop, store). The 屋 suffix is a common word-forming element for shops and their proprietors.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 酒屋で買う (to buy at a liquor store)
- 町の酒屋 (the local liquor store)
- 酒屋の配達 (liquor store delivery)
Traditional 酒屋 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 While many have been replaced by convenience stores and supermarkets, some survive as specialty shops with curated selections of Japanese sake and other alcoholic beverages.