飲みます

The Japanese verb 飲みます (Nomimasu) is one of the most fundamental actions you will learn in your Japanese language journey. At its core, it translates to 'to drink' in English. It is the polite form (the -masu form) of the dictionary verb nomu (飲む). In the Japanese language, verbs are the engines of the sentence, and nomimasu is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object—the thing you are drinking. Whether you are at a cafe, a restaurant, or a friend's house, this word will be your primary way to express thirst, preference for beverages, or the act of consumption of liquids.

The Core Meaning

The primary usage is the physical act of ingesting liquid. This covers everything from water (mizu) and tea (ocha) to more complex beverages like coffee (kōhī) or juice (jūsu). In a Japanese context, the act of drinking is often social, and nomimasu serves as the polite standard for these interactions.

Social Contexts

In Japan, 'drinking' often implies the consumption of alcohol in a social setting. When someone asks, 'Nomimasu ka?' (Do you drink?), they might be asking if you consume alcohol generally or if you would like to go out for a drink tonight. The culture of 'Nomikai' (drinking parties) is a cornerstone of Japanese corporate and social life.

One unique aspect of nomimasu that often surprises English speakers is its use with medicine. In English, we 'take' medicine or 'swallow' a pill. In Japanese, if the medicine is a pill or a liquid, you 'drink' it. Using tabemasu (to eat) for medicine is a common mistake for beginners. Therefore, nomimasu encompasses the intake of anything that is swallowed without significant chewing, emphasizing the passage through the throat.

Furthermore, nomimasu is the 'polite' or 'distal' form. This means it is appropriate for talking to teachers, bosses, strangers, or colleagues. It strikes a balance between being respectful without being overly formal or humble. Using the dictionary form nomu in these situations might come across as too blunt or overly familiar. As an A2 learner, mastering nomimasu ensures you can navigate daily life in Japan with the correct level of social grace.

Using 飲みます (Nomimasu) correctly involves understanding Japanese sentence structure (SOV: Subject-Object-Verb). In Japanese, the verb almost always comes at the end of the sentence. To say 'I drink water,' the structure is 'I (Subject) + Water (Object) + Drink (Verb).' However, in Japanese, the subject 'I' (Watashi wa) is often omitted if it is clear from the context, making your Japanese sound more natural.

The Present and Future Tense

In Japanese, nomimasu serves as both the present habitual tense ('I drink every day') and the future tense ('I will drink later'). There is no separate future tense verb form. Context determines which one is meant. If you say 'Ashita kōhī o nomimasu,' it means 'I will drink coffee tomorrow.'

Negation: Nomimasen

To say you 'do not drink' or 'will not drink,' you change the -masu ending to -masen. For example, 'Sake o nomimasen' means 'I don't drink alcohol.' This is a vital phrase for those who prefer to abstain in social settings.

When asking a question, you simply add the particle ka (か) at the end. 'Nomimasu ka?' is the universal way to offer a drink or ask about someone's habits. If you want to suggest drinking together, you can change the ending to -mashou (飲みましょう - Nomimashou), which means 'Let's drink.' This is the 'volitional' form used for invitations.

Another important pattern is using nomimasu with frequency adverbs like yoku (often), tokidoki (sometimes), or zenzen (never). Note that zenzen must be followed by the negative nomimasen. For example, 'Zenzen sake o nomimasen' (I never drink alcohol). This allows you to build much more descriptive and accurate sentences about your daily life and preferences.

In Japan, 飲みます (Nomimasu) is ubiquitous. You will hear it the moment you step into a restaurant or a cafe. Staff will ask you for your drink order using variations of this verb. In a traditional setting, like a Ryokan (Japanese inn) or a high-end restaurant, you might hear the more formal version nomimasu or its honorific equivalent, but nomimasu remains the standard polite exchange between customer and server.

At the Izakaya

The Izakaya (Japanese pub) is the primary habitat for nomimasu. You'll hear 'Toriaezu nama!' (Draft beer for now!), followed by 'Nani o nomimasu ka?' from the server. The atmosphere is loud, and the verb is used frequently as people order round after round of drinks.

At the Pharmacy

When a pharmacist explains how to take your medication, they will say 'Kono kusuri o shokugo ni nomimasu' (Drink/Take this medicine after meals). Hearing nomimasu in a medical context is a key cultural difference for English speakers to internalize.

You will also hear it in daily greetings and small talk. Asking someone 'Kōhī o nomimasu ka?' is a common way to initiate a break or a meeting. In anime or TV dramas, characters might use the informal nomu, but in any professional or semi-formal broadcast, nomimasu is the default. It's also common in weather reports or health segments during the summer, where announcers remind the public to 'Mizu o takusan nomimasu' (Drink plenty of water) to avoid heatstroke.

Finally, pay attention to the compound verb nomisugimasu (to drink too much). This is a very common expression in social settings, often used the morning after a party. The base nomi- combined with -sugimasu (to overdo) creates a specific nuance that you'll hear frequently in casual and workplace conversations alike.

Even though 飲みます (Nomimasu) is a basic verb, English speakers often fall into several traps due to the differences in how English and Japanese categorize 'ingestion.' Avoiding these mistakes will make your Japanese sound significantly more natural and native-like.

The 'Soup' Dilemma

In English, we 'eat' soup. In Japanese, if the soup is mostly liquid (like Miso soup) and you drink it from the bowl, you use nomimasu. However, if the soup is chunky and you use a spoon (like a Western stew), tabemasu (to eat) is more appropriate. Using the wrong one can sound slightly 'off' to a native speaker.

Medicine: Don't 'Take' It

As mentioned before, medicine (kusuri) is 'drunk' in Japanese. Beginners often try to translate 'take medicine' literally using the verb torimasu (to take). This is incorrect. Always use nomimasu for pills, powders, and liquid medicine.

Another mistake is confusing nomimasu with suimasu (to breathe/smoke). In some languages, the word for 'drink' is used for smoking cigarettes. In Japanese, you must use tabako o suimasu. Using nomimasu for cigarettes will confuse people, as it implies you are literally swallowing the tobacco.

Lastly, be careful with the levels of politeness. While nomimasu is safe, using it to describe the actions of a very high-status person (like the Emperor or a high-ranking CEO) might be seen as insufficiently respectful. In those cases, honorific verbs like meshiagarimasu are used. Conversely, using nomimasu for yourself in a very humble situation might require itadakimasu. However, at the A2 level, nomimasu is your best friend and will rarely cause offense.

While 飲みます (Nomimasu) is the standard verb for drinking, Japanese has several synonyms and related terms that provide more specific nuances or different levels of politeness. Understanding these will help you expand your vocabulary and understand more complex conversations.

召し上がります (Meshiagarimasu)

This is the honorific version of both tabemasu and nomimasu. You use this when talking about someone else's drinking to show high respect. For example, 'Nani o meshiagarimasu ka?' (What would you like to drink/eat? - very polite).

いただきます (Itadakimasu)

This is the humble version. While everyone knows this as the phrase said before meals, it is also a verb meaning 'I receive/eat/drink.' In very formal settings, you might say 'Ocha o itadakimasu' instead of 'nomimasu' to show humility.

啜ります (Susurimasu)

This means 'to sip' or 'to slurp.' While nomimasu is the general act, susurimasu describes the specific way you might drink hot tea or eat noodles with broth. In Japan, slurping is often a sign that the food is delicious!

There is also the informal 飲む (Nomu), which you will hear among friends and family. Furthermore, onomatopoeic expressions are very common. Gubi-gubi describes the sound of gulping down a cold drink, while chibi-chibi describes sipping slowly, perhaps while enjoying expensive sake. Using these alongside nomimasu adds flavor to your descriptions.

Lastly, don't forget the verb 酔います (Yoimasu), which means 'to get drunk.' While not a synonym for drinking, it is the direct result of drinking too much alcohol and is frequently used in the same contexts as nomimasu. Knowing these related terms will help you navigate the rich social landscape of Japanese drinking culture.