飲む
To swallow a liquid or medicine. It is also used in Japan for things like soup or even smoking (archaic usage).
Examples
3 of 5冷たい水を飲みます。
I drink cold water.
お酒を飲みすぎないでください。
Please do not drink too much alcohol.
何か飲む?
Want something to drink?
Word Family
Memory Tip
Nomu sounds like 'No More' - what you say when you've had enough to drink.
Quick Quiz
薬を( )ましたか。
Correct!
The correct answer is: のみ
Examples
冷たい水を飲みます。
everydayI drink cold water.
お酒を飲みすぎないでください。
formalPlease do not drink too much alcohol.
何か飲む?
informalWant something to drink?
薬を飲む時間を記録する。
academicRecord the time of taking (drinking) medicine.
取引先とお茶を飲みます。
businessDrink tea with a client.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
飲み放題
all-you-can-drink
一杯飲む
to have a drink
薬を飲む
to take (drink) medicine
Often Confused With
In Japanese, medicine (pill form) is 'drunk' (nomu), not 'eaten' (taberu).
Usage Notes
Always use 'nomu' for liquids, pills, and soup (if not eating the solids with chopsticks).
Common Mistakes
English speakers often want to say 'kusuri o toru' for taking medicine, but in Japanese, it must be 'kusuri o nomu'.
Memory Tip
Nomu sounds like 'No More' - what you say when you've had enough to drink.
Word Origin
From the root 'numu', related to the sound of swallowing.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Drinking social culture (Nomikai) is very important in Japanese business and social circles.
Quick Quiz
薬を( )ましたか。
Correct!
The correct answer is: のみ
Related Grammar Rules
More Food & Cooking words
食べる
A1To consume food by chewing and swallowing. This is one of the most fundamental actions in daily life and a core verb for beginners.
果物
A1The sweet and fleshy product of a tree or other plant that contains seed and can be eaten as food.
肉
A1The flesh of an animal (mammal or bird) used as food. A staple ingredient in many cuisines.
ご飯
A1Cooked rice, or a meal in general. It is the core staple of Japanese cuisine.
美味しい
A1Having a pleasant or agreeable taste. The most common way to compliment food.
おいしい
A1To describe food or drink that has a pleasant, good taste. It is the most common way to compliment food.
作る
A1To make, produce, or prepare something. In a food context, it specifically means to cook or prepare a meal.
卵
A1An egg, typically from a chicken, used as a basic ingredient in many dishes.
パン
A1A staple food prepared from a dough of flour and water, usually by baking. In Japan, it includes a wide variety of sweet and savory buns.
飲み物
A1Any liquid intended for human consumption, such as water, tea, juice, or alcohol. It is a common word used when ordering at restaurants.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free