sake

/seɪk/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈek] /seɪk/ (ame, ipa) · [sˈek] /ˈsāk/ (ame, mw)

sake — noun

1. used in phrases to say that you do something to help someone, protect them, or i

1.名詞B1
釋義

used in phrases to say that you do something to help someone, protect them, or improve their situation. It commonly appears in patterns such as 'for your own sake' and 'for the children's sake'.

例句

Tuan babysat his niece for her own sake, not because his sister asked him to.

for + possessive + sake (for her own sake)

The school changed its lunch policy for the sake of students with food allergies.

for the sake of + noun phrase

同義詞
  • benefit

    more general; 'sake' is always part of a fixed phrase, while 'benefit' can stand alone

  • welfare

    slightly more formal and broader, covering overall wellbeing rather than just a single action

  • interest

    often plural ('interests'); used in formal contexts about protecting someone's rights or needs

文法句型

for + possessive + sake

for the sake of + noun/pronoun

用法筆記

The possessive form is common: 'for the children's sake', 'for his own sake'. Alternatively, use 'for the sake of + noun': 'for the sake of the team'. Both patterns mean the same thing.

常見錯誤

❌I did it for the children sake.
✅I did it for the children's sake.
💡The noun before 'sake' must be possessive (add 's).
❌For sake of clarity.
✅For the sake of clarity.
💡The fixed expression requires 'the' before 'sake of'.

2. used in phrases to show the reason for doing something, especially when the goal

2.名詞B1
釋義

used in phrases to show the reason for doing something, especially when the goal is clarity, accuracy, convenience, or discussion rather than helping a person.

例句

For the sake of simplicity, let us assume the grant will cover all costs.

for the sake of + noun (simplicity)

Karim and Jude checked the figures a third time for the sake of accuracy.

同義詞
  • purpose

    more direct; 'sake' is a softer, more idiomatic way of expressing purpose

  • aim

    suggests a more concrete, planned goal rather than a general reason

  • reason

    broader in meaning; 'for the sake of' is just one idiomatic way to express reason

文法句型

for the sake of + noun/gerund

for + noun possessive + sake

用法筆記

'For old times' sake' is a fixed expression that belongs here — it means doing something because it reminds you of happy shared memories, not because it is practically useful.

常見錯誤

❌I helped him for the sake of his benefit.
✅I helped him for his sake.
💡Redundant; 'sake' already implies benefit or purpose, so adding 'benefit' is unnecessary.

3. used in exclamations such as 'for goodness' sake' or 'for God's sake' to make a

3.名詞B2
釋義

used in exclamations such as 'for goodness' sake' or 'for God's sake' to make a request, order, or complaint sound stronger, usually because the speaker is annoyed, impatient, or alarmed.

例句

For goodness' sake, will you please put your phone away during dinner?

informal exclamation: for goodness' sake

For heaven's sake, Greta, close the door — the cat will get out!

文法句型

for + goodness/heaven/God/pity + sake

用法筆記

Avoid 'for God's sake' in formal writing or polite conversation — it can sound offensive because it uses a religious name as a swear word. Safer alternatives include 'for goodness' sake' (mild), 'for heaven's sake' (mild), or 'for pity's sake' (mild). These are common in everyday spoken English when expressing annoyance.

常見錯誤

❌For good sake, hurry up!
✅For goodness' sake, hurry up!
💡The fixed expression is 'goodness' sake', not 'good sake'.
❌Using this sense in a formal email or job interview.
✅Reserve for informal spoken situations among people you know well.

4. an alcoholic rice drink from Japan, often served warm or chilled in small cups.

4.名詞A2
釋義

an alcoholic rice drink from Japan, often served warm or chilled in small cups.

例句

Selim ordered a bottle of warm sake to go with the sushi.

a bottle of + sake

In winter, small restaurants in Tokyo serve hot sake in ceramic flasks.

同義詞
  • rice wine

    a more descriptive English term; less specific than 'sake' which refers to the Japanese variety

  • nihonshu

    the Japanese term for sake; rarely used in everyday English conversation

文法句型

drink + sake

a cup/bottle of + sake

用法筆記

This meaning (the drink) is a completely different word from the previous three senses. It comes from Japanese 酒 (sake), while the phrase 'for the sake of' comes from Old English. In Japanese, the word 'sake' can also refer to alcoholic drinks in general, but in English it refers specifically to rice wine.

常見錯誤

❌Sake is made from grapes.
✅Sake is made from fermented rice.
💡Sake is a rice-based drink, not a grape wine.
❌Pronouncing it 'sake' as in 'cake'.
✅Pronounce it 'sah-keh' (two syllables, a as in 'father').