スカッシュ
すかっしゅ
noun
squash (sport); squash (fruit drink)
1.
squash — a racquet sport played in an enclosed court by two players using a small rubber ball
The racquet sport in which players hit a small rubber ball against the walls of an enclosed court. Introduced to Japan as an imported sport, it is played at dedicated squash courts and fitness clubs.
週末にスカッシュをします。
I play squash on weekends.
スカッシュは体力を使うスポーツだ。
Squash is a sport that demands stamina.
友達とスカッシュのコートを予約して遊びに行った。
I reserved a squash court with a friend and went to play.
2.
squash — a carbonated or still fruit drink, typically made with citrus juice, sugar, and (often) soda water
A type of fruit-based drink, especially a citrus drink made with lemon or lime juice, sugar, and carbonated or still water. Common varieties in Japan are レモンスカッシュ (lemon squash) and オレンジスカッシュ (orange squash), usually served chilled at coffee shops and restaurants.
レモンスカッシュをください。
I'd like a lemon squash.
夏はレモンスカッシュがおいしい。
Lemon squash tastes great in summer.
昔ながらの喫茶店でメロンスカッシュを注文した。
I ordered a melon squash at an old-fashioned coffee shop.
Loanword from English 'squash', used in Japanese for two unrelated meanings: the racquet sport, and a style of fruit drink.
USAGE:
- Sense 1 (sport): Less common than tennis or badminton in Japan, but found at specialized courts and fitness clubs. Always refers to the sport itself; context makes it clear.
- Sense 2 (drink): Very common at old-style 喫茶店 (coffee shops), family restaurants, and summer menus. Usually compounded with a fruit name: レモンスカッシュ, オレンジスカッシュ, メロンスカッシュ.
- The vegetable 'squash' (pumpkin, zucchini, etc.) is NOT called スカッシュ in Japanese — use {かぼちゃ} or {ズッキーニ} instead.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- スカッシュをする: to play squash (sport)
- スカッシュのコート: squash court
- レモンスカッシュ: lemon squash (drink)
- オレンジスカッシュ: orange squash (drink)
- メロンスカッシュ: melon squash (drink)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 炭酸飲料: carbonated drink — a broader category that includes squash-type drinks.
- ソーダ: soda — often used for sweetened or flavored carbonated water (クリームソーダ).
- ジュース: juice — general term for non-alcoholic soft drinks, including fruit juices and some sodas.
CULTURAL NOTE:
レモンスカッシュ is a classic menu item at Japanese 喫茶店 (traditional coffee shops), evoking nostalgia for the Shōwa era.