Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Drink" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "drink", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
飲みます
のみます (nomimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
飲む
のむ (nomu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "drink" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 飲みます and 飲む.
In Japanese, 飲みます (のみます (nomimasu)) is typically associated with "to drink (polite form)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite form of 飲む.
On the other hand, 飲む (のむ (nomu)) maps to "to drink" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Commonly used for consuming liquids. Polite form is 飲みます. A literal translation of "drink" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "飲みます"
水を飲みます。
I drink water.
Bilingual Context for "飲む"
毎朝コーヒーを飲みます。
I drink coffee every morning.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "水を ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I drink water.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "飲みます" fits here because it means "to drink (polite form)" in the context of: "I drink water.". "飲む" represents "to drink".