Translation and Meaning of: 飲む - nomu

The Japanese word 飲む[のむ] is an essential verb for anyone learning the language. Its main meaning is "to drink," but its use goes beyond the simple act of consuming liquids. In this article, we will explore everything from writing and pronunciation to cultural curiosities and practical memorization tips. If you want to understand how Japanese people use this word in their daily lives, keep reading!

In addition to being a common term in everyday conversations, 飲む appears frequently in expressions and social contexts. Here at Suki Nihongo, we aim to provide accurate and useful information for Japanese language learners. Let's uncover the details of this word, including its origin, variations in usage, and how it appears in animes and other media.

Meaning and use of 飲む in modern Japanese

飲む is a verb that primarily means "to drink," but its use can be broader than it seems. It applies to liquids in general, such as water, tea, or coffee, but it is also used in contexts like taking medicine (薬を飲む) or even "swallowing" something metaphorically. This versatility makes it an indispensable word in basic vocabulary.

In everyday Japanese, 飲む is extremely common. Phrases like お茶を飲みます (I will have tea) or ビールを飲みたい (I want to drink beer) are frequently heard. It is worth noting that, unlike in Portuguese, in Japanese, different verbs are not used for "to drink" and "to have" – 飲む covers both meanings.

The origin and writing of the kanji 飲

The kanji 飲 is composed of two main elements. The radical 食 (food) on the left indicates its relation to eating, while the right side features the component 欠, which originally represented a person with an open mouth. Together, they form the idea of "bringing something to the mouth to ingest," which makes perfect sense for the verb "to drink."

According to the Kangorin dictionary, this kanji was already used in ancient Chinese with the same basic meaning. When it was incorporated into Japanese, it retained its essence but gained the kun'yomi reading のむ for use in native vocabulary. The way we write the kanji today is the result of centuries of evolution in calligraphy.

Tips for memorizing and using 飲む correctly

An effective way to remember 飲む is to associate the kanji with the action of drinking. Note that the radical 食 appears in several words related to food, such as 食事 (meal) or 食べる (to eat). This visual connection helps to reinforce the meaning. Another tip is to practice with simple everyday sentences, like 水を飲む (drink water).

For those who enjoy animes and dramas, pay attention when characters use 飲む. In scenes at bars or restaurants, it's common to hear variations like 飲もう (let's drink) or 飲みすぎた (I drank too much). This exposure to real language usage makes it easier to naturally assimilate the vocabulary.

Drinking in Japanese culture and society

In Japan, drinking goes beyond the physical act – it is an important social element. Expressions like 飲み会 (drinking parties with colleagues) show how 飲む is connected to social interaction. On these occasions, it is common to see people drinking together to strengthen bonds, a custom known as 乾杯 (kanpai).

Interestingly, in formal contexts, the Japanese often use 召し上がる (meshiagaru), which is the honorific verb for "to eat" and "to drink," instead of 飲む. This nuance is important for those who wish to speak Japanese politely. Among friends, 飲む is perfectly acceptable and sounds natural in any conversation.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 飲む

• 飲む - Infinitive base form
• 飲みます - polite form
• 飲まない - negative form
• 飲みました - past form
• 飲める - potential form
• 飲もう conditional form
• 飲んで - imperative form
• 飲もうとしている - Continuous form

Synonyms and similar words

• 飲み込む (nomikomu) - To swallow
• 飲み込み (nomikomi) - Act of swallowing
• 飲み込める (nomikomeru) - To be able to swallow
• 飲み込まれる (nomikomareru) - Be swallowed
• 飲み干す (nomihosu) - Drink to the end
• 飲むこと (nomu koto) - Drinking act
• 飲む水 (nomu mizu) - Water to drink
• 飲む量 (nomu ryō) - Amount to be drunk

飲む

Romaji: nomu
Kana: のむ
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: to drink

Meaning in English: to drink

Definition: Ingest liquids by mouth.

Example Sentences - (飲む) nomu

See below some example sentences:

露を飲んだら風邪をひくよ。

Tsuyu wo nonda ra kaze wo hiku yo

if you drink dew

If you drink a dew, you will catch a cold.

• 露 - dew
• を - object particle
• 飲んだら - if you drink
• 風邪 - cold
• を - object particle
• ひく - take
• よ - emphasizing particle

酸性の飲み物は歯に悪いです。

Sansei no nomimono wa ha ni warui desu

Acidic drinks are bad for the teeth.

Acidic drinks are bad for your teeth.

• 酸性の - acid
• 飲み物 - Drink
• は - Topic particle
• 歯 - Teeth
• に - particle indicating target
• 悪い - bad
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

私はミルクを飲みます。

Watashi wa miruku o nomimasu

I drink milk.

I drink milk.

• 私 - means "I".
• は - it is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I".
• ミルク - means "milk".
• を - it's a particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "leite".
• 飲みます - is the verb "to drink" conjugated in the polite form.

未満の年齢は飲酒禁止です。

Miman no nenrei wa inshukinshi desu

Consumption of alcohol is prohibited for minors.

Drinking is prohibited for the age of under.

• 未満の年齢 - age below
• は - Topic particle
• 飲酒禁止 - prohibited from drinking alcohol
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

お茶を飲みたいです。

Ocha wo nomitai desu

I want to drink tea.

• お茶 - "ocha" means "tea" in Japanese.
• を - "wo" is an object particle in Japanese, indicating that the tea is the object of the action.
• 飲みたい - "nomitai" is a verb in Japanese that means "to want to drink."
• です - "desu" is a finalizing particle in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is a polite statement.

ジュースを飲みたいです。

Jūsu o nomitai desu

I want to drink juice.

• ジュース (juusu) - Juice
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 飲みたい (nomitai) - to want to drink
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

ストローを使って飲み物を飲みます。

Sutorō o tsukatte nomimono o nomimasu

I drink my drink using a straw.

Drink a drink using a straw.

• ストロー (sutoroo) - "canudo" means "straw" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 使って (tsukatte) - verbal form of the verb "usar" in Japanese, which indicates the action of using something
• 飲み物 (nomimono) - means "drink" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 飲みます (nomimasu) - verb form of the verb "beber" in Japanese, which indicates the action of drinking something

バーで一杯飲みたいです。

Baa de ippai nomitai desu

I want to have a drink at a bar.

I want to drink a cup at the bar.

• バー (bā) - bar
• で (de) - at
• 一杯 (ippai) - one glass
• 飲みたい (nomitai) - want to drink
• です (desu) - is

熱いお茶を飲みたいです。

Atsui ocha wo nomitai desu

I want to drink hot tea.

• 熱い (atsui) - hot
• お茶 (ocha) - tea
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 飲みたい (nomitai) - to want to drink
• です (desu) - Sentence-final particle

私は友達の飲み代を立て替えた。

Watashi wa tomodachi no nomidai wo tatekaereta

I paid my friend's drinks bill.

I changed my friend's drink.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 友達 (tomodachi) - Japanese noun meaning "friend"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates that the friend is the owner of the action
• 飲み代 (nomidai) - Japanese noun that means "drinks bill"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 立て替えた (tatekaeta) - Japanese verb in the past that means "to advance the money."