Translation guide
A social gathering where alcohol is consumed, common in Japanese work and social culture.
A casual or semi-formal gathering for drinking, often with colleagues or friends.
The most common and general term for a drinking party, used for both casual and work-related gatherings.
今夜は会社の飲み会があります。
There's a company drinking party tonight.
A more formal term for a banquet or party, often with a set course and entertainment. Used for larger, organized events.
忘年会は大きな宴会です。
The year-end party is a big banquet.
A literary or formal term for a drinking feast. Rare in everyday conversation.
酒宴が催された。
A drinking feast was held.
An informal drinking session with coworkers after work, often at an izakaya.
Still the default term, but context implies after-work. Often used with 仕事帰りの (after work).
仕事帰りに飲み会に行く。
Go to a drinking party after work.
A casual phrase meaning 'to have a drink', often implying a quick, informal session.
仕事の後、一杯やらない？
Wanna grab a drink after work?
A seasonal drinking party, often with colleagues or friends, to celebrate the end of the year or the new year.
Year-end party, literally 'forget-the-year party'. Very common in December.
忘年会の予約を取らないと。
We need to book the year-end party.
New Year party, held in January. Less common than 忘年会 but still typical.
A party to say goodbye or welcome someone, usually involving alcohol.
Farewell party. Often includes drinking, but not exclusively. Context implies alcohol if held at an izakaya.
送別会は居酒屋でやります。
The farewell party will be at an izakaya.
Welcome party. Similar to 送別会, often involves drinking.
A relaxed, informal drinking session with friends, not necessarily a structured party.
Literally 'go drinking', the most natural way to suggest a casual drinking outing.
今度飲みに行こうよ。
Let's go drinking sometime.
Drinking at home (house party style). Common among students and young people.
今夜は宅飲みしよう。
Let's drink at home tonight.
飲み会 is the everyday term for any drinking party, from casual to semi-formal. 宴会 implies a more structured event, often with a set course meal and possibly entertainment, and is used for larger gatherings like company parties or wedding receptions.
To invite someone to a drinking party, use 飲みに行かない？ (Wanna go drinking?) or 飲み会があるんだけど、来ない？ (There's a drinking party, wanna come?). Avoid direct translations like パーティー, which often implies a Western-style party with dancing or a buffet.
新年会で乾杯しましょう。
Let's toast at the New Year party.
新入社員の歓迎会を開きます。
We'll hold a welcome party for the new employees.