What does sake mean?
Sake most commonly means a reason or purpose, and it is usually encountered in the expression “for the sake of,” as in doing something for the sake of health, safety, or convenience. Its tone is formal and somewhat traditional, but the phrase remains common in contemporary English. In a different sense, sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage traditionally made by fermenting rice and polishing the resulting grains. It is served in small cups, sometimes warm, and is an important part of Japanese drinking and dining customs. The two meanings share a spelling but belong to distinct areas of language: the first is an ordinary English word with Germanic origins, while the second is a borrowing from Japanese. Recognizing both senses prevents confusion in references to Japanese cuisine, restaurants, and ceremonies.
A reason or purpose for doing something, especially in the expression “for the sake of.”
"The teacher simplified the explanation for the sake of the younger students."
Formal or traditional in tone; most often used in fixed phrases.
A Japanese alcoholic drink traditionally made from fermented rice.
"The restaurant served sake with grilled fish."
Usually associated with Japanese cuisine and restaurants; it may be served warm or chilled.
Used mainly in the expression “for the sake of”; “sake” is generally singular in modern English.
"They continued the tradition for the sakes of family and community."
The word sake can mean the reason behind an action or the Japanese rice wine that has been part of Japanese culture for centuries.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sake come from?
The English word meaning “reason” or “purpose” comes from Old English sacu, “cause, crime, or sake,” and ultimately from a Germanic root associated with a cause or matter. It developed into the modern noun and became especially familiar through expressions such as “for the sake of.” The name of the Japanese drink is a separate loanword from Japanese sake, which refers to the alcoholic beverage and is related to terms for rice and brewing. These two histories are independent despite the identical modern English spelling.
How sake is actually used
In its first sense, sake is formal and often appears in fixed phrases such as “for the sake of.” The alcoholic drink is usually written “sake” in English and is typically drunk in Japan and at Japanese restaurants elsewhere.