This kanji refers to alcohol or brewing. It can mean sake, rice wine, or liquor.

on readings:
  • shu
kun readings:
  • sake
  • saka
examples:
amazake a sweet drink made from rice where Aspergillus has broken up the carbohydrates into simple sugars
ぶどう budōshu wine (from grapes)
izakaya a Japanese bar serving drinks & snacks
kinshu temperence, abstinance from drink
Nihon-shu sake, Japanese rice wine
sakaba bar, saloon, tavern
sakaya wine dealer, liquor store
sake sake
seishu refined sake

links:
Izakaya
Wiktionary

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Last Alteration Performed: 5 January 2026 by Bradley James Wogsland.