Bitter

Slang Term British ★★★★☆ Common Casual

Meaning: A type of British ale; a traditional cask-conditioned beer.

一种英国艾尔啤酒;传统的桶装调理啤酒。
Un tipo de cerveza ale británica; una cerveza tradicional acondicionada en barril.
英国エールの一種。伝統的な樽出しビール。
매서운 추위, 살을 에는 듯한 추위

Bitter is the quintessential British pub beer—a cask-conditioned ale with a hoppy, slightly bitter taste. Unlike lagers, bitters are served at cellar temperature (not ice cold) and have lower carbonation. Ordering 'a pint of bitter' marks you as a traditionalist. Varieties range from 'ordinary bitter' to 'best bitter' to 'extra special bitter' (ESB).

Bitter是最典型的英国酒吧啤酒——一种带有啤酒花香、微苦口感的桶装艾尔啤酒。与拉格啤酒不同,bitter在酒窖温度下供应(不是冰镇的),碳酸含量较低。点「a pint of bitter」标志着你是个传统主义者。种类从「ordinary bitter」到「best bitter」再到「extra special bitter」(ESB)。
La bitter es la cerveza por excelencia del pub británico: una ale acondicionada en barril con un sabor lupulado y ligeramente amargo. A diferencia de las lager, las bitter se sirven a temperatura de bodega (no heladas) y tienen menos carbonatación. Pedir «a pint of bitter» te marca como tradicionalista. Las variedades van desde «ordinary bitter» hasta «best bitter» y «extra special bitter» (ESB).
ビターは英国パブの代表的ビール——ホッピーでほのかに苦い味わいの樽出しエール。ラガーと違い、ビターはセラー温度(キンキンに冷やさない)で提供され、炭酸も控えめ。「a pint of bitter」を注文すれば伝統主義者の証。「ordinary bitter」「best bitter」「extra special bitter」(ESB)など種類がある。
Bitter한 추위는 적대적인 추위입니다—단순히 불편한 것이 아니라 공격적으로 느껴지며, 옷을 뚫고 들어와 노출된 피부를 마비시킵니다. 이 단어는 쓴맛의 불쾌한 날카로움을 혹한의 감각으로 옮긴 것입니다. 'Crisp'(기분 좋은 추위)이나 'chilly'(약한 추위)와 달리, bitter는 비참함과 제대로 된 방한의 필요성을 암시합니다. Bitter wind(매서운 바람)는 특히 가혹하며, 추위에 바람의 공격이 결합됩니다.

Examples

  1. Pint of bitter, please.
    请来一品脱bitter
    Una pinta de bitter, por favor
    ビターを1パイントお願い
    비터 한 파인트 주세요
  2. I'll stick to bitter—can't stand lager.
    我还是喝bitter吧——受不了拉格
    Me quedo con la bitter, no soporto la lager
    ビターにするよ——ラガーは無理
    비터로 할게——라거는 못 마셔
  3. They've got a lovely guest bitter on tap.
    他们有一款很好的客座bitter在生啤
    Tienen una bitter invitada estupenda de grifo
    素敵なゲストビターが樽生であるよ
    맛있는 게스트 비터가 생맥으로 있어

Pronunciation

/ˈbɪtə/

Usage Guide

Context: pub, beer, traditional

Tone: traditional, casual

✓ Do Say

  • Pint of bitter
    一品脱bitter
    una pinta de bitter
    ビターを1パイント
    매서운 추위야
  • Best bitter
    best bitter
    best bitter
    ベスト・ビター
    매섭게 추워
  • What bitters have you got?
    你们有什么bitter?
    ¿qué bitters tenéis?
    どんなビターがありますか?
    밖이 매서워

✗ Don't Say

  • Expecting it ice cold like lager—served at cellar temperature
    别指望像拉格一样冰镇——是在酒窖温度下供应的
    No esperar que esté helada como la lager: se sirve a temperatura de bodega
    ラガーのようにキンキンに冷えていると思わないこと——セラー温度で提供される
    가벼운 추위에는 사용하지 말 것—bitter는 진짜 매서운 추위를 뜻함

Common Mistakes

Origin & History

The name 'bitter' emerged in the 19th century to distinguish hoppy pale ales from sweeter mild ales. The term stuck even as the beers evolved. Bitter became the default British pub drink until lager overtook it in the 1980s. Traditional bitter is now seen as a heritage product.

Etymology: From the bitter taste of hops in the ale

First recorded: 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages, associated with older drinkers

Social background: Working class origins, now universal

Pop culture: CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale)

Regional notes: Traditional British pub drink, less common in other countries.

Variations

BitterBest bitterOrdinary bitterESB

More From This Topic

Pint ★★★★★ A glass of beer (568ml); going for drinks. Round ★★★★★ Buying drinks for your group; the group's drink order. Local ★★★★★ Your neighbourhood pub; the pub you frequent regularly. Lager ★★★★★ A light, carbonated beer served cold; the most popular be... G&T ★★★★★ Gin and tonic; a classic British cocktail. Booze ★★★★★ Alcohol; to drink alcohol.
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