白酒 báijiǔ baijiu, a spirit usually distilled from sorghum
baijiu, a spirit usually distilled from sorghum; (Taiwan) white wine (short for 白葡萄酒)
How to remember 白酒: 白 white + 酒 liquor = baijiu, a spirit usually distilled from sorghum.
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How it is used
- Noun for baijiu, the strong clear Chinese spirit distilled from sorghum, central to toasts at banquets.
- 喝白酒 (drink baijiu), 敬酒 (toast) often go together at formal meals.
- Contrast with 红酒 (red wine) and 啤酒 (beer) - 白酒 is much higher proof and distinctly Chinese.
- In Taiwan, 白酒 can instead mean white wine, an important regional difference to watch for.