注す

• Reading: さす
• Romaji: sasu
• Kanji breakdown: 注 (chū/sa) — pour, note, annotate
• Pronunciation: /sa.sɯ/

Meaning

To pour (a drink); to serve (drinks). Specifically used for pouring beverages for someone.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated with the す row. Most commonly used for pouring alcoholic drinks, especially sake, for others. In Japanese drinking culture, pouring for someone else (お酌する) is an important social custom. Often interchangeable with 差す in this context, but 注す specifically emphasises the pouring action.

Examples

1. 父がお客さんにお酒を注した。 My father poured drinks for the guests.
2. ワインをグラスに注してもらった。 Someone poured wine into my glass for me.
3. 宴会では上司にお酒を注すのがマナーだ。 At a banquet, it's proper etiquette to pour drinks for your superiors.

Usage Guide

Context: dining, drinking culture, hospitality

Tone: polite

Origin & History

The kanji 注 combines 氵 (water radical) and 主 (lord/main). Water directed by a guiding hand — pouring with care and intention.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal