sake
B2neutral
Definition
Meaning
A reason or purpose for doing something; benefit or advantage.
Used to express a concern for or dedication to someone or something, often indicating that an action is performed out of consideration for them.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in the fixed phrase 'for the sake of' or 'for someone's/something's sake'. Its core sense is 'for the purpose of; in the interest of; in order to achieve or preserve'. It can imply a motivating factor that may be practical, emotional, or moral.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the same fixed phrases ('for the sake of', 'for God's sake').
Connotations
Identical connotations. 'For goodness' sake' and 'for heaven's sake' are common mild exclamations. 'For God's sake' can be considered stronger/more offensive by some.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
for [possessive determiner] sakefor the sake of [noun phrase]for [proper noun]'s sakeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “for old times' sake”
- “for art's sake”
- “for argument's sake”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'We must cut costs for the sake of the company's survival.' Used to justify difficult decisions.
Academic
'The experiment was simplified for the sake of clarity.' Used to explain methodological choices.
Everyday
'Please be quiet for the sake of the baby.' Used in personal appeals or explanations.
Technical
Rare in highly technical contexts except in phrases like 'for the sake of completeness'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Do it for my sake, please.
- She moved to the countryside for the sake of her health.
- I'm only staying in this job for the sake of my family.
- For goodness' sake, will you hurry up!
- The law was changed for the sake of public safety.
- They remained friends for old times' sake, despite their differences.
- He pursued knowledge for its own sake, not for any potential reward.
- The compromise was accepted for the sake of political expediency, not principle.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'cause' you CARE about. 'Sake' sounds like 'SAKE' (as in 'for SAKE' = 'for the CAKE'? No, for the PURPOSE!). Remember: I do it FOR YOUR SAKE.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURPOSE/REASON IS A POSSESSION (e.g., 'for my sake' — the reason belongs to me). BENEFIT IS A DESTINATION ('do it for the sake of a better future').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'сакэ' (Japanese rice wine). The English word 'sake' is unrelated.
- The phrase 'for the sake of' is best translated as 'ради' + genitive case (ради тебя, ради порядка).
- Avoid literal translations like 'из-за' or 'для', which have different connotations of cause or intended recipient.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'for a sake' (incorrect: it's almost always 'for the sake of' or 'for [possessive] sake').
- Using it as a standalone noun (*'What is your sake?' is incorrect).
- Confusing 'for the sake of' with 'because of' (the former implies purpose/benefit, the latter simple cause).
Practice
Quiz
In the phrase 'for argument's sake', what does 'sake' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'sake' is almost never used as a standalone noun in modern English. It is used almost exclusively in the fixed phrases 'for the sake of' or 'for [possessive] sake'.
'For the sake of' implies doing something for a purpose, benefit, or out of consideration for someone/something. 'Because of' simply states the cause or reason. Compare: 'He quit for the sake of his health' (to benefit his health) vs. 'He quit because of his health' (his health caused him to quit).
It can be, depending on the audience. Many consider using religious names in exclamations to be blasphemous or overly strong. Safer, more neutral alternatives include 'for goodness' sake', 'for heaven's sake', or 'for pity's sake'.
No. The English word 'sake' (purpose) is pronounced /seɪk/ (rhymes with 'cake' or 'make'). The Japanese rice wine is pronounced /ˈsɑːkeɪ/ or /ˈsɑːki/.
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