ペアリング
Meaning: Food and drink pairing — a curated dining experience where each course is matched with a complementary beverage.
ペアリング describes the practice of matching dishes with specific wines, sake, craft beer, or even tea and coffee to enhance the dining experience. What was once limited to high-end wine restaurants has spread to sake bars, craft beer pubs, and casual dining in Japan. Pairing courses (ペアリングコース) have become a popular dining option at mid-range to upscale restaurants.
Examples
- このレストラン、料理に合わせたペアリングコースがあるよ。 这家餐厅有配合菜品的餐酒搭配套餐。Este restaurante tiene un menú de maridaje con cada plato.이 레스토랑, 요리에 맞춘 페어링 코스가 있어.
- ワインのペアリングを初めて体験したけど、全然味が変わってびっくりした。 第一次体验葡萄酒搭配,味道变化太大了,吃了一惊。Probé un maridaje de vinos por primera vez y me sorprendió lo mucho que cambiaba el sabor.와인 페어링을 처음 경험했는데, 맛이 완전히 달라져서 놀랐어.
- 日本酒とチーズのペアリングイベントに参加してきた。 参加了日本酒配奶酪的搭配品鉴会。Asistí a un evento de maridaje de sake con queso.일본주와 치즈 페어링 이벤트에 참가했다 왔어.
Pronunciation
/pe.a.rin.gu/
Usage Guide
Context: restaurants, wine bars, food enthusiasts, dates
Tone: sophisticated, appreciative
✓ Do Say
- ペアリングコースにしてみない? (Want to try the pairing course?)要不要试试餐酒搭配套餐?¿Probamos el menú de maridaje? (¿Nos pedimos el menú de maridaje?)페어링 코스로 해 볼래? (페어링 코스 시켜 볼까?)
- 日本酒のペアリングって意外と奥が深い。 (Sake pairing is surprisingly deep and complex.)日本酒搭配其实学问很深呢。El maridaje con sake es sorprendentemente profundo y complejo. (El maridaje de sake tiene más matices de lo que parece.)일본주 페어링은 의외로 깊은 세계야. (사케 페어링은 의외로 깊고 복잡해.)
✗ Don't Say
- 居酒屋で「ペアリングで」と言うと場違い感がある (Requesting a 'pairing' at a regular izakaya feels out of place)在普通居酒屋说「要搭配」会显得有些格格不入Pedir un «maridaje» en un izakaya normal resulta fuera de lugar이자카야에서 '페어링으로 해주세요'라고 하면 어색할 수 있음 (일반 이자카야에서 '페어링'을 요청하면 장소에 어울리지 않는 느낌이 든다)
Common Mistakes
- Thinking ペアリング is only for wine — in Japan it is widely used for sake, craft beer, tea, and even non-alcoholic pairings
Origin & History
From English 'pairing.' Adopted into Japanese food culture as wine pairing culture spread from fine dining into mainstream restaurants in the 2010s, and later expanded to sake, craft beer, and tea.
Cultural Context
Era: 2010s, expanded from wine culture to sake and craft beer
Generation: All ages, especially food and drink enthusiasts
Social background: Mid-range to upscale dining culture
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Especially popular in Tokyo, Kyoto, and cities with active food scenes.
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