Izakaya

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of informal Japanese pub where a variety of small dishes and drinks are served in a casual atmosphere
2. A convivial dining establishment in Japan that offers an array of tapas-style foods alongside alcoholic beverages
3. A relaxed venue in Japanese culture that combines food and drink, often benefiting from a social and lively setting

Etymology: The word is a compound of three Japanese characters, read in order as "i" (居, to be or stay), "zake" (酒, sake or alcohol) and "ya" (屋, shop or house), so it literally describes a place where one stays to drink. The native Japanese term is written with those characters and pronounced "izakaya", and English took it over unchanged, keeping the Japanese spelling and pronunciation rather than translating it. The sense of the compound is what makes it distinctive. A 居酒屋 is a casual establishment that serves drinks alongside a wide range of small dishes, meant to be shared and lingered over rather than a meal taken quickly. The "ya" element is the same one found in words such as "soba-ya" for a noodle shop, so the pattern is a plain, productive Japanese one: a noun for the product followed by "ya" for the shop.

Synonyms: pub, tavern, bar, gastropub, taproom