Meaning
To consume fruit or vegetable juice.
Cultural Background
In Japan, 'Juice' often refers to any sweet soft drink, including soda. However, legally, only 100% fruit juice can be labeled as 'Juice' on packaging. In the US, juice is primarily a breakfast drink. In Japan, it is consumed at any time of day, often from vending machines. Many European countries have a strong culture of fresh-pressed juice. In Japan, while fresh juice exists, processed and canned juices from brands like Suntory or Kirin are more ubiquitous. The rise of 'smoothies' has influenced Japan, where they are often called 'smoothie' (スムージー) rather than 'juice,' though the verb '{飲|の}む' remains the same.
The 'O' Particle
Always remember to use '{を|を}' when you are the one doing the drinking. It's the bridge between the juice and your mouth!
Juice vs Soda
In Japan, if you ask for 'juice,' you might get a soda. If you want 100% fruit juice, look for the word '{果汁|かじゅう}100%' on the label.
Meaning
To consume fruit or vegetable juice.
The 'O' Particle
Always remember to use '{を|を}' when you are the one doing the drinking. It's the bridge between the juice and your mouth!
Juice vs Soda
In Japan, if you ask for 'juice,' you might get a soda. If you want 100% fruit juice, look for the word '{果汁|かじゅう}100%' on the label.
Politeness Matters
When ordering at a restaurant, use '{飲|の}みます' or '{下|くだ}さい' to sound like a polite and sophisticated learner.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing particle.
ジュース（ ）{飲|の}みます。
The particle '{を|を}' marks the direct object 'juice'.
Choose the correct polite form of 'to drink'.
{私|わたし}は{毎日|まいにち}ジュースを（ ）。
The standard polite present form of '{飲|の}む' is '{飲|の}みます'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ジュースを{飲|の}みますか？ B: はい、（ ）。
B is agreeing to drink, so the positive polite form is used.
Match the phrase to the situation: 'I want to drink juice.'
Which one expresses desire?
The '~tai' ending expresses the speaker's desire.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of Juice in Japan
Fruit
- • リンゴ
- • オレンジ
- • ブドウ
Vegetable
- • トマト
- • {青汁|あおじる}
- • ニンジン
Practice Bank
4 exercisesジュース（ ）{飲|の}みます。
The particle '{を|を}' marks the direct object 'juice'.
{私|わたし}は{毎日|まいにち}ジュースを（ ）。
The standard polite present form of '{飲|の}む' is '{飲|の}みます'.
A: ジュースを{飲|の}みますか？ B: はい、（ ）。
B is agreeing to drink, so the positive polite form is used.
Which one expresses desire?
The '~tai' ending expresses the speaker's desire.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes! In Japanese, you 'drink' soup, especially miso soup, because it is served in a bowl and sipped.
Colloquially, no. It can refer to any sweet non-alcoholic drink. But legally, yes, it must be 100% fruit.
You say 'ジュースを{飲|の}みたいです' (Juusu o nomitai desu).
'Nomu' is casual (dictionary form), and 'nomimasu' is polite. Use 'nomimasu' with teachers and strangers.
Yes, especially from vending machines which are everywhere in Japan.
No, that would mean you are chewing the liquid. Always use 'nomu'.
It's a healthy green vegetable juice that is famous for being healthy but tasting quite strong.
Say '[Juice Name] o kudasai' or '[Juice Name] o nomimasu'.
In formal writing and polite speech, yes. In very casual speech with friends, it is often dropped.
The kanji is '{飲|の}む'. It contains the radical for 'eat/food' on the left.
Related Phrases
{飲|の}み{物|もの}
similarA drink / beverage
{水|みず}を{飲|の}む
similarTo drink water
{喉|のど}が{渇|かわ}く
builds onTo be thirsty
{乾杯|かんぱい}する
social interactionTo toast / cheers
