ストゼロ
Meaning
Strong Zero — Suntory's popular high-alcohol (9%) canned chuhai, infamous for being extremely cheap and potent.
ストゼロ is the ubiquitous abbreviation for Suntory's -196℃ ストロングゼロ, a line of canned chuhai with 9% alcohol content. It is legendary in Japanese drinking culture for its combination of low price, high alcohol content, and deceptively drinkable fruit flavors. ストゼロ has become a cultural icon and internet meme, associated with budget drinking, 宅飲み (home drinking), and the running joke that it is 'too dangerous' because it gets you drunk quickly.
Examples
- ストゼロ一缶で結構酔えるからコスパ最強だよ。 One can of Strong Zero gets you pretty buzzed, so the bang for your buck is unbeatable.
- ストゼロのレモン味が一番好き。 The lemon flavor Strong Zero is my favorite.
- 金ないときはストゼロで宅飲みが定番。 When money's tight, drinking Strong Zeros at home is the go-to move.
Usage Guide
Context: friends, drinking, convenience stores, internet
Tone: casual, knowing
Do Say
- ストゼロ買って宅飲みしよう。 (Let's buy some Strong Zeros and drink at home.)
- ストゼロは飲みやすいけどアルコール強いから気をつけて。 (Strong Zero goes down easy but the alcohol is strong, so be careful.)
Don't Say
- 目上の人への手土産にストゼロは失礼 (Bringing Strong Zero as a gift for a superior is inappropriate — it's a budget drink)
Common Mistakes
- Underestimating ストゼロ — at 9% alcohol in a 500ml can, one can contains more alcohol than a typical glass of wine
Origin & History
Abbreviated from ストロングゼロ (Strong Zero), Suntory's brand name for their -196℃ high-alcohol chuhai line. The product launched in 2009 and became a cultural phenomenon, with ストゼロ as its widely recognized nickname.
Cultural Context
Era: 2009 product launch, cultural icon by mid-2010s
Generation: All adult ages, especially 20s-30s
Social background: Budget drinking culture, internet meme status
Regional notes: Sold in convenience stores and supermarkets across all of Japan. Has become a cultural icon beyond just a beverage brand.
Related Phrases
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation and spaced repetition