徳利(とっくり)

A traditional Japanese vessel for serving sake, typically made of ceramic (陶器(とうき)). The classic shape has a bulbous body with a narrow neck, designed to retain heat when serving 熱燗(あつかん) (hot sake). The standard size holds about one 合(ごう) (180 ml).

Cultural note

In Japanese drinking etiquette, it is customary to pour for others from the 徳利(とっくり) rather than for yourself. Holding the 徳利(とっくり) with both hands when pouring shows politeness. When your companion's 猪口(ちょこ) (sake cup) is empty, it is polite to refill it.

Common collocations

• 徳利(とっくり)一本(いっぽん) — one tokkuri (of sake)
• 徳利(とっくり)で注(つ)ぐ — to pour from a tokkuri
• 陶器(とうき)の徳利(とっくり) — a ceramic sake bottle

Related words

• 猪口(ちょこ) — small sake cup; paired with a 徳利(とっくり) for drinking
• 熱燗(あつかん) — hot sake; typically served in a 徳利(とっくり)
• 升(ます) — wooden sake cup; a square wooden box for drinking sake