“To drink” in Japanese is 飲む (のむ), pronounced nomu.
Pronunciation
The word has 2 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To drink. Japanese also uses it for taking medicine: 薬を飲む. 飲み会 is a drinking party with colleagues or friends.
Example sentences
- 何を飲みますか。なにをのみますか。What will you drink?
- お酒はあまり飲みません。おさけはあまりのみません。I don’t drink much alcohol.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 飲む. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 飲む のむ | drink |
| Polite present | 飲みます のみます | drink |
| Polite negative | 飲みません のみません | don’t drink |
| Polite past | 飲みました のみました | past of “drink” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 飲まない のまない | don’t drink (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 飲んだ のんだ | past of “drink” (casual) |
| て-form | 飲んで のんで | drink and… / please drink (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 飲みたい のみたい | want to drink |
Quick practice
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What does {{飲む}} mean?
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Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to drink in Japanese?
To drink in Japanese is 飲む (のむ), pronounced “nomu”.
How do you write to drink in Japanese?
It's written 飲む with kanji, or のむ in hiragana. Both are read nomu.
Is 飲む on the JLPT?
Yes. 飲む (nomu) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.