飲む

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drink, sip, quaff, take (medicine), swallow (a pill)
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To consume liquids, take medicine, smoke tobacco, or figuratively swallow words, absorb costs, or be overwhelmed by a situation.

Examples

  • 彼は薬を飲むのを忘れた。
    He forgot to take his medicine.
  • 牛乳を飲んだ。
    I drank milk.
  • 痛み止めを飲まないと痛い。
    It hurts if I don't take painkillers.
  • 彼は怒りを飲んだ。
    He swallowed his anger.
  • タバコを飲むのをやめました。
    I quit smoking.

Similar words

口にする
煙る
噛む
吸収する
味わう
負担する
吞み込む
パフする
摂取する
甘んじる

Meanings

Drink liquids

verb
everyday
neutral
To swallow liquids such as water, tea, or alcohol.

Examples

  • 毎朝、水を飲みます。
    I drink water every morning.
  • 彼はコーヒーを飲んでいる。
    He is drinking coffee.
  • お酒を飲みすぎないでください。
    Please do not drink too much alcohol.
  • お茶を飲みながら話しましょう。
    Let's talk while drinking tea.
  • 牛乳を飲んだ。
    I drank milk.
  • ジュースを飲みたがっています。
    He wants to drink juice.
  • 熱いスープを飲んだ。
    I drank hot soup.

Similar words

Take medicine

verb
medical
neutral
To ingest medicine, pills, or tablets.

Examples

  • 風邪薬を飲みました。
    I took cold medicine.
  • 錠剤を水で飲んでください。
    Please swallow the tablet with water.
  • 毎日ビタミンを飲んでいます。
    I take vitamins every day.
  • 痛み止めを飲まないと痛い。
    It hurts if I don't take painkillers.
  • この薬は食前に飲んでください。
    Please take this medicine before meals.
  • 彼は薬を飲むのを忘れた。
    He forgot to take his medicine.
  • 漢方薬を飲んだ。
    I took herbal medicine.

Similar words

Smoke tobacco

verb
everyday
neutral
To inhale smoke from cigarettes or cigars.

Examples

  • 彼はタバコを飲んでいる。
    He is smoking.
  • 一服飲みませんか。
    Won't you have a smoke?
  • タバコを飲むのは健康に悪い。
    Smoking is bad for your health.
  • 彼はタバコを飲み始めた。
    He started smoking.
  • ここでタバコを飲んでもいいですか。
    Can I smoke here?
  • タバコを飲むのをやめました。
    I quit smoking.
  • 彼女はタバコを飲まない。
    She does not smoke.

Similar words

Swallow or absorb

verb
abstract
neutral
To accept a loss, to absorb a cost, or to be overwhelmed by something.

Examples

  • 彼の言葉を飲んだ。
    I swallowed his words.
  • 損を飲むしかなかった。
    I had to accept the loss.
  • 会社が経費を飲んでくれた。
    The company absorbed the expenses.
  • 彼は怒りを飲んだ。
    He swallowed his anger.
  • 大衆に飲まれた。
    He was overwhelmed by the crowd.
  • 差額を飲むことにした。
    I decided to absorb the difference.
  • 嘘を飲まされた。
    I was made to swallow a lie.

Similar words

Etymology

Old Japanese. Derivation uncertain, possibly related to the sound of swallowing.

FAQ

What does 飲む mean?

飲む means to drink liquids, take medicine, smoke tobacco, or figuratively to accept or absorb something.

How do you use 飲む for medicine?

Use 飲む (e.g., 薬を飲む) for taking medicine, even though pills are solid; do not use 食べる.

Can 飲む be used for smoking?

Yes, 飲む is commonly used for smoking tobacco (e.g., タバコを飲む), alongside 吸う.

What is the difference between 飲む and 食べる?

飲む is for liquids and medicine, while 食べる is for solid food.

What is the past tense of 飲む?

The past tense of 飲む is 飲んだ (nonda).

How do you say 'I don't drink' in Japanese?

You say お酒を飲まない (I don't drink alcohol) or simply 飲まない.

What are some common compounds with 飲む?

Common compounds include 飲み物 (drink), 飲み会 (drinking party), and 飲み込み (understanding/swallowing).

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