酌む

• Reading: くむ
• Romaji: kumu
• Kanji breakdown: 酌 (shaku/ku) — serve sake, pour drinks
• Pronunciation: /kɯ.mɯ/

Meaning

To serve sake; to pour drinks. The act of pouring alcohol for someone.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated with the む row. Specifically refers to pouring alcoholic drinks, especially sake, for others. Central to Japanese drinking culture where pouring for others (お酌する) is an important social courtesy. The more common spoken form is お酌をする. Also used figuratively like 汲む: 事情を酌む (to take circumstances into consideration).

Examples

1. 上司にお酒を酌んであげた。 I poured a drink for my boss.
2. 日本では相手のグラスが空いたら酌むのが礼儀だ。 In Japan, it's good manners to pour for someone when their glass is empty.
3. 彼の事情を酌んで許すことにした。 Taking his circumstances into account, I decided to forgive him.

Usage Guide

Context: drinking culture, social customs, business entertainment

Tone: polite

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 酌 combines 酉 (sake jar) and 勺 (ladle/scoop), literally 'ladling from a sake vessel' — the ancient act of serving alcohol.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal