Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'drinking' is most commonly expressed with the verb 飲む (nomu), which covers drinking liquids in general. However, the way you talk about drinking depends heavily on context: casual vs. formal, what is being drunk, and whether you are referring to alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages. This guide covers the main ways to express 'drinking' naturally in Japanese.
To express the act of drinking any liquid, such as water, tea, juice, etc.
The standard verb for 'to drink'. Used for all liquids, including alcohol. Can be used in most situations.
I drink water.
I drink coffee every morning.
Honorific verb for 'to drink' (or 'to eat'). Use when speaking about someone of higher status drinking.
The company president drank tea.
Humble verb for 'to drink' (or 'to eat'). Use when you are the one drinking, to show respect to the listener.
I had some delicious tea.
To talk about consuming alcoholic beverages, often in social contexts.
Let's go drinking. · He drinks too much. · I don't drink alcohol.
The same verb is used for drinking alcohol. Context usually makes it clear.
I drank a lot yesterday.
Do you drink alcohol?
Literally 'go to drink', this is the most common way to say 'go out for drinks' or 'go drinking'.
Wanna go for drinks tonight?
Explicitly states 'drink alcohol'. Used when you need to be clear, or in negative sentences.
I don't drink alcohol.
Formal, often used in written rules or official contexts.
Drinking before driving is prohibited.
To refer to the activity of drinking together, often implying a party or gathering.
To express drinking liquid medicine.
The same verb is used for taking liquid medicine. For solid medicine, 飲む is also used (meaning 'to swallow').
I took some cough syrup.
Please take this medicine three times a day.
In English, we 'drink' soup, but in Japanese, soup is typically 'eaten' (食べる) or you 'drink' the broth (汁を飲む). Saying スープを飲む is not wrong but can sound slightly unnatural; スープを食べる is more common for chunky soups.
These three verbs all mean 'to drink', but differ in politeness. 飲む is neutral, 召し上がる is honorific (used for others), and いただく is humble (used for yourself when showing respect to the listener). Use them according to the social situation.
On Fridays I go drinking with my coworkers.