Japanese word

居酒屋

Pronunciation

Romajiizakaya

Meaning

  • nounJapanese pub

Example

友達と居酒屋で夕食を食べます。tomo dachi to i zaka ya de yū shoku o ta be ma su

I eat dinner at a Japanese pub with my friends.

Illustration for 居酒屋 (Japanese pub)

More examples

仕事の後、同僚と居酒屋で楽しく話しました。shi goto no ato dō ryō to i zaka ya de tano shi ku hana shi ma shi ta

After work, I had a nice conversation with my coworkers at a Japanese pub.

Core concept

Refers to a casual Japanese eating and drinking place where staying together is as important as the food and beverages.

Common phrases

  • 居酒屋で飲むi zaka ya de no mu

    drink at a Japanese pub

  • 居酒屋に行くi zaka ya ni i ku

    go to a Japanese pub

  • 居酒屋の料理i zaka ya no ryō ri

    Japanese pub food

Similar words

飲み屋nomiya: A casual place where people go mainly to drink, often with simple food.
酒場sakaba: A place where people gather to drink alcohol, with food sometimes available.

Definition in Japanese

酒や料理を提供し、客がくつろいで飲食や談話をする日本の店。sake ya ryō ri o tei kyō shi kyaku ga ku tsu ro i de in shoku ya dan wa o su ru nihon no mise

Word origin

居酒屋 (izakaya) is formed from 居 (i, "staying"), 酒 (sake, "alcohol"), and 屋 (ya, "shop or place"), showing its sense of a place for lingering over drinks.

Usage tips

  • Although Japanese pub is a useful translation, izakaya usually includes a substantial food menu rather than focusing on drinks alone.

Word lists with this word