水を飲みます
mizu o nomimasu
The English phrase "I drink water" is expressed in Japanese as 水を飲みます (mizu o nomimasu).
水を飲みます is used to make a statement of fact or to describe a habitual action.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 水, which literally means "water" and 飲みます, which is the polite form of the verb meaning "to drink".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
水を飲みます is the polite version of the phrase, making it suitable for use when speaking to strangers or superiors. The informal version is 水を飲む, which is used when speaking with friends or family.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the particle を (o) marks the water 水 as the direct object of the verb 飲みます.
How do you pronounce it?
mizu o nomimasu
Did you know?
- The verb 飲みます (nomimasu) is also used for things that are not liquids, such as 'taking' medicine. In English, you 'take' medicine, but in Japanese, you 'drink' it.
- The word 水 (mizu) is used for cold or room-temperature water. If the water is hot, the word changes entirely to 湯 (yu), making 'hot water' a different noun rather than just an adjective plus a noun.
- The kanji for water 水 is a pictograph that originally depicted a flowing stream of water. This visual origin is still apparent in its simplified modern shape.
Examples in context
- 水を飲みます。mizu o nomimasu.I drink water.
- 毎朝、水を飲みます。maiasa, mizu o nomimasu.I drink water every morning.
- 運動の後に水を飲みます。undou no ato ni mizu o nomimasu.I drink water after exercising.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are deciding what to order at a restaurant.
- 結衣 Yui健太さんは何を飲みますか。Kenta-san wa nani o nomimasu ka.What will you drink, Kenta?
- 健太 Kenta私は水を飲みます。Watashi wa mizu o nomimasu.I will drink water.
- 結衣 Yuiわかりました。私もそれにします。Wakarimashita. Watashi mo sore ni shimasu.I understand. I'll have that too.
- 健太 Kentaいいですね。注文しましょう。Ii desu ne. Chūmon shimashō.Sounds good. Let's order.
