What does '清酒' translate to in English?

The term '清酒' translates directly to 'sake' in English. In Japanese, '清' means "clear" or "pure," and '酒' means "alcohol" or "liquor." When combined, '清酒' specifically refers to the traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage made through the fermentation of polished rice, which is generally recognized as sake in English.

This term is often used to distinguish it from other types of alcohol or rice wine, as it refers specifically to this clear, refined beverage. While other options may imply certain qualities of sake, they do not encapsulate the broad and well-known recognition of 'sake' as an alcoholic beverage in general. The simplified translation to 'sake' is widely accepted and understood in English-speaking contexts, making it the most fitting choice.