How to Say ‘Do you drink? (polite question)’ in Japanese
飲みますか
nomi masu ka
[nomi masu ka]
💬 Usage Tip: [飲みます] is the polite non-past form of [飲む]. With [か], it becomes a polite question: [飲みますか].
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan, asking [飲みますか] can mean alcohol specifically depending on the situation, so context matters.
Phrase Breakdown
飲み
nomi
[nomi]
drink; drink(s)
The stem of 飲みます, from the verb 飲む, meaning to drink.
家ではよく飲みますかと聞かれました。
I was asked, 'Do you drink it often at home?'
ます
masu
[masu]
polite verb ending
A polite ending used with verbs in standard conversation.
ビールを飲みます。
I drink beer.
か
ka
[ka]
question marker
A particle placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.
アサヒですか、キリンですか。
Is it Asahi, or is it Kirin?
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