飲む
のむ
nomu
= to drink / to take (medicine)
Nomu (飲む) means ‘to drink’ and is one of the first action verbs Japanese learners encounter. Beyond drinking beverages, nomu also means ‘to take’ (as in medicine) and has figurative uses. It’s essential for everyday conversation about meals and drinking habits.
Nomu is a regular u-verb meaning to drink liquids or consume beverages. It covers all types of drinking: water (mizu wo nomu), coffee (koohii wo nomu), or sake (sake wo nomu). The verb also means ‘to take’ in the context of medicine or supplements: kusuri wo nomu (take medicine). Figuratively, nomu can mean ‘to understand’ or ‘to accept’—nomu koto ga dekiru means ‘can understand/accept.’ In casual speech, nomu often appears in social contexts like ‘let’s drink!’ (nomuzo or nomashou). Like taberu, nomu conjugates regularly: nomnai (doesn’t drink), nonda (drank), nomu-na (don’t drink).
Nomu is a u-verb, so conjugations work differently than ru-verbs: nom-asu, nom-anai, nom-ita. Common mistake: learners confuse nomu (to drink) with taberu (to eat) in context. Remember ‘nomu’ for liquids and ‘taberu’ for solid food. Nomu has social importance in Japan—after-work drinking (nomikai) is a workplace tradition. Be aware of different formality levels: casual ‘nomu’ vs. polite ‘nomimasu’ vs. humble ‘itagadakimasu’ (though less common for drinking).
飲 (nomu) depicts a person with open mouth, representing drinking. The character has been used for thousands of years.
Everyday use
毎朝コーヒーを飲みます。
Maiasa koohii wo nomimasu.
I drink coffee every morning.
Formal / Cultural context
この薬は食後に飲んでください。
Kono kusuri wa shokugo ni nonde kudasai.
Please take this medicine after meals.
Casual / Social Media
友達と一緒にお酒を飲むのが好きです。
Tomodachi to issho ni osake wo nomu no ga suki desu.
I like drinking sake with friends.
Drinking has significant cultural meaning in Japan. Nomikai (飲み会), after-work group drinking, is a workplace tradition where hierarchy briefly loosens and colleagues bond. The culture emphasizes social drinking rather than individual consumption. Kanpai (乾杯, ‘cheers’) is the standard toast, and refusing a drink can be socially awkward.
Different beverages carry different cultural significance. Sake (日本酒) is traditional and ceremonial, beer (ビール) is casual and social, shochu (�焼酎) is warming and rustic, and whisky has become increasingly popular. Vending machines selling hot and cold drinks reflect Japanese convenience culture. Understanding drinking vocabulary helps learners navigate social situations and appreciate Japanese hospitality.
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