1. Sake (noun): This is the most common meaning of "sake," referring to a Japanese rice wine. It's a fermented alcoholic beverage made from rice, water, and koji (a type of mold).
2. Sake (for the sake of): This phrase is used to indicate a reason or purpose. It means "for the benefit of," "because of," or "for the purpose of."
* Example: "I did it for the sake of my family." (Meaning: I did it to benefit my family.)
3. Sake (archaic): In older usage, "sake" could also mean "thing" or "matter." This usage is rare nowadays.
4. Sake (Japanese): In Japanese, "sake" (pronounced "sah-kay") can also mean "thing" or "matter," similar to the archaic English usage.
To understand the meaning of "sake" in a sentence, consider the context and the surrounding words.