Phrase in 30 Seconds
The standard way to say 'to drink alcohol' in Japanese, used for everything from casual beers to formal toasts.
- Means: To consume any kind of alcoholic beverage, not just Japanese rice wine.
- Used in: Social invitations, describing habits, or ordering at an izakaya.
- Don't confuse: 'Sake' in Japanese means all alcohol; 'Nihonshu' is specifically rice wine.
आपके स्तर पर व्याख्या:
मतलब
To consume alcoholic beverages.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
The 'Nomikai' is a central part of Japanese corporate life. It's an opportunity for employees to bond outside the office. Pouring etiquette: Never pour your own drink. It is considered polite to pour for others and wait for them to pour for you. Age limit: The legal drinking age in Japan is 20. Convenience stores will ask you to touch a screen to confirm you are over 20. Izakaya culture: These are Japanese pubs where 'osake o nomu' is accompanied by many small dishes (otsumami).
The Power of 'O'
Always use the 'o' in 'osake' to sound polite and natural. Men sometimes drop it, but for learners, keeping it is safer.
Driving Laws
Japan has zero tolerance for drinking and driving. Even a small amount can lead to severe penalties.
The Power of 'O'
Always use the 'o' in 'osake' to sound polite and natural. Men sometimes drop it, but for learners, keeping it is safer.
Driving Laws
Japan has zero tolerance for drinking and driving. Even a small amount can lead to severe penalties.
Ordering
Instead of 'Osake o kudasai,' order specific drinks like 'Nama-biiru' (draft beer) for a more natural experience.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the blank with the correct particle and verb form.
わたしは、お酒（ ）（ ）。 (I drink alcohol - polite)
The object marker 'o' is used with the verb 'nomimasu' (to drink).
Which phrase is a polite invitation to go for a drink?
Choose the best option:
'-masen ka' is the standard polite way to invite someone.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 今晩、飲みに行きませんか？ B: すみません、今日は（ ）。
B is declining the invitation, so the negative form is needed.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a party and want to toast.
'Kanpai' (Cheers) is used for toasting.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Types of 'Osake'
Popular
- • Beer
- • Sake
- • Highball
- • Chuhai
अभ्यास बैंक
5 अभ्यासわたしは、お酒（ ）（ ）。 (I drink alcohol - polite)
The object marker 'o' is used with the verb 'nomimasu' (to drink).
Choose the best option:
'-masen ka' is the standard polite way to invite someone.
A: 今晩、飲みに行きませんか？ B: すみません、今日は（ ）。
B is declining the invitation, so the negative form is needed.
You are at a party and want to toast.
'Kanpai' (Cheers) is used for toasting.
🎉 स्कोर: /5
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
5 सवालIn English, yes. In Japanese, 'Sake' (or 'Osake') is the general word for all alcohol, including beer and wine.
It's not rude, but it's helpful to have a reason (e.g., health, driving). You can say 'O-sake ga nomemasen.'
It's a blend of 'nomu' and 'communication,' referring to the bonding that happens over drinks.
No, always use 'nomu' (drink).
You say 'Yopparaimashita.'
संबंधित मुहावरे
{飲|の}み{会|かい}
similarDrinking party
{乾|かん}{杯|ぱい}
builds onCheers!
おつまみ
similarSnacks for alcohol
はしご{酒|ざけ}
specialized formBar hopping
お{酒|さけ}に{酔|よ}う
builds onTo get drunk
कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें
At an Izakaya
Friend: まずはビールでお{酒|さけ}を{飲|の}みましょう！
You: いいですね、{乾|かん}{杯|ぱい}！
Declining a Drink
Boss: もう一{杯|ぱい}どうですか？
You: すみません、{今日|きょう}はお{酒|さけ}を{飲|の}みません。
Talking about Hobbies
New Friend: {週末|しゅうまつ}は何をしますか？
You: {家|いえ}でゆっくりお{酒|さけ}を{飲|の}むのが{好|す}きです。
At a Wedding
Guest: お{祝|いわ}いにお{酒|さけ}を{飲|の}みましょう。
You: おめでとうございます！
Doctor's Visit
Doctor: お{酒|さけ}は{飲|の}みますか？
You: はい、ときどき{飲|の}みます。
Convenience Store
Clerk: （年齢確認ボタンを押してください）
You: （お{酒|さけ}を{飲|の}むためにボタンを{押|お}す）
याद करें
स्मृति सहायक
Think of 'O-SAKE' as 'Oh, Sake!' and 'NOMU' as 'No More' (if you drink too much).
दृश्य संबंध
Imagine a traditional Japanese sake bottle (tokkuri) and a small cup (ochoko). The 'O' is the round bottle, and 'NOMU' is the sound of gulping it down.
Rhyme
Sake in the cup, Nomu drink it up!
Story
A traveler arrives at a Japanese inn. The host offers a bottle of 'Osake.' The traveler is thirsty and says 'Nomu!' (I'll drink!). They drink together and become best friends.
In Other Languages
In English, we say 'to have a drink,' which similarly implies both the physical act and the social context. In Korean, 'sool-eul masida' is almost a direct structural equivalent.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Next time you see a beverage in a movie, say 'Osake o nomimasu' if it's alcohol, or 'Mizu o nomimasu' if it's water.
Review this phrase before your next social outing or when learning about Japanese food culture.
उच्चारण
Three flat syllables, no heavy stress.
The 'u' is often slightly devoiced in fast speech.
औपचारिकता का स्तर
お{酒|さけ}をたしなみます。 (General statement about drinking)
お{酒|さけ}を{飲|の}みます。 (General statement about drinking)
お{酒|さけ}を{飲|の}むよ。 (General statement about drinking)
{飲|の}むぜ。 (General statement about drinking)
The word 'sake' is thought to come from 'sakae' (prosperity) or 'ki' (spirit/energy). It has been part of Japanese rituals for over 1,500 years.
रोचक तथ्य
In ancient Japan, sake was often called 'Kushi,' which is also the word for 'mysterious' or 'magical.'
सांस्कृतिक नोट्स
The 'Nomikai' is a central part of Japanese corporate life. It's an opportunity for employees to bond outside the office.
“{会社|かいしゃ}の{飲|の}み{会|かい}でお{酒|さけ}を{飲|の}みます。”
Pouring etiquette: Never pour your own drink. It is considered polite to pour for others and wait for them to pour for you.
“お{酒|さけ}を{注|つ}ぎ{合|あ}うのがマナーです。”
Age limit: The legal drinking age in Japan is 20. Convenience stores will ask you to touch a screen to confirm you are over 20.
“二十{歳|さい}からお{酒|さけ}を{飲|の}めます。”
Izakaya culture: These are Japanese pubs where 'osake o nomu' is accompanied by many small dishes (otsumami).
“{居酒屋|いざかや}でお{酒|さけ}を{飲|の}むのは{楽|たの}しいです。”
बातचीत की शुरुआत
お{酒|さけ}を{飲|の}むのが{好|す}きですか？
{週末|しゅうまつ}、よくお{酒|さけ}を{飲|の}みに行きますか？
お{酒|さけ}を{飲|の}みながら、何を{話|はな}すのが{好|す}きですか？
सामान्य गलतियाँ
お酒を食べる (Osake o taberu)
お酒を飲む (Osake o nomu)
L1 Interference
酒を飲む (Sake o nomu) in a formal meeting
お酒を飲みます (Osake o nomimasu)
L1 Interference
日本酒を飲む (Nihonshu o nomu) when you mean beer
お酒を飲む (Osake o nomu)
L1 Interference
お酒を飲むができます (Osake o nomu ga dekimasu)
お酒を飲むことができます (Osake o nomu koto ga dekimasu)
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
To have a drink
English can use 'drink' as an intransitive verb to imply alcohol; Japanese usually requires the object 'osake'.
Tomar una copa
Spanish focuses on the 'taking' of a drink/glass, while Japanese focuses on the 'drinking' of the substance.
Boire un coup
French uses more varied idioms involving 'glasses' or 'hits' (coups).
Einen heben
German idioms often focus on the physical motion of lifting the glass.
يشرب الكحول (Yashrab al-kuhul)
The phrase lacks the 'social lubricant' nuance found in Japanese.
喝酒 (Hējiǔ)
Chinese 'jiǔ' is often associated with stronger spirits (baijiu) in formal settings.
술을 마시다 (Sool-eul masida)
Korean drinking etiquette is even more strictly hierarchical regarding head-turning and glass-holding.
Tomar um copo
Portuguese often omits the noun 'alcohol' and uses 'one' or 'a glass' instead.
Spotted in the Real World
“お酒、飲む？”
The Master offering a drink to a regular customer.
“For relaxing times, make it Suntory time.”
Filming a commercial for Japanese whisky.
आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले
Learners think 'Sake' and 'Nihonshu' are exactly the same.
'Osake' is all alcohol; 'Nihonshu' is specifically Japanese rice wine.
Both involve drinking.
'Nomimono' is any beverage (water, juice, etc.), while 'Osake' is specifically alcohol.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (5)
In English, yes. In Japanese, 'Sake' (or 'Osake') is the general word for all alcohol, including beer and wine.
basic understandingIt's not rude, but it's helpful to have a reason (e.g., health, driving). You can say 'O-sake ga nomemasen.'
cultural usageIt's a blend of 'nomu' and 'communication,' referring to the bonding that happens over drinks.
cultural usageNo, always use 'nomu' (drink).
grammar mechanicsYou say 'Yopparaimashita.'
practical tips
