飲 — Drink, Gulp

Meaning

The kanji 飲 (いん, の.む) primarily means "to drink." It's a foundational character for Japanese learners, crucial for describing the consumption of liquids. Its visual components offer clear clues to its meaning.

This character consists of two main parts: 食 (しょく), meaning "food" or "to eat," on the left, and 欠 (けつ), often associated with "yawn" or "lack," on the right. Here, the 食 radical clearly points to an act of consumption, whether eating or drinking. Although 欠 typically suggests a yawn or a deficiency, in 飲 it functions both phonetically and visually, hinting at an open mouth or a posture ready for ingesting liquids. Some explanations suggest that 欠, representing an open mouth, combines with 食 to form the concept of consuming food or drink by mouth. Together, these elements visually depict the act of taking sustenance into the body.

Comprising 12 strokes, this kanji is taught in Grade 3 of Japanese elementary school. This makes it part of the jouyou kanji list and a core component of N5 JLPT level vocabulary.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The On'yomi readings for 飲 come from its historical Chinese pronunciation. They are typically used when 飲 is part of a compound word, often alongside other kanji.

イン (in): This is the most common On'yomi reading for 飲, appearing in many words related to beverages and drinking.

飲いん料りょう (inryō) — beverage, drink. This term refers to any liquid prepared for consumption.
飲いん食しょく (inshoku) — eating and drinking; food and drink. You'll often see this in signs for establishments like 飲食店 (inshokuten, restaurant).
飲いん酒しゅ (inshu) — drinking alcohol. This specifically denotes consuming alcoholic beverages.

オン (on): This reading is far less common for the kanji 飲 in modern Japanese, especially when discussing the act of drinking. While it might appear in highly specific, often historical or technical compounds, or in proper nouns, N5 learners won't typically encounter it in general vocabulary related to beverages or consumption. Consequently, practical examples are rare, and learners should primarily focus on the イン reading for On'yomi.

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

Kun'yomi readings are native Japanese pronunciations tied directly to the kanji's meaning. These often form verbs or parts of words that can stand alone or combine with okurigana (送り仮名).

の.む (no.mu): This is the most crucial Kun'yomi reading, forming the verb 飲む (nomu), which means "to drink." It's an essential verb for daily communication.

水みずを飲のむ (mizu o nomu) — to drink water. A basic, everyday phrase.
薬くすりを飲のむ (kusuri o nomu) — to take medicine. In Japanese culture, one "drinks" medicine.
おお酒さけを飲のむ (osake o nomu) — to drink alcohol. A common social activity.

-の.み (-no.mi): This reading appears in various compound words or nouns derived from the verb 飲む. It often functions as a noun meaning "drinking" or "a drink."

飲のみ物もの (nomimono) — drink, beverage. This is a general term for anything you drink.
飲のみ水みず (nomimizu) — drinking water. This term specifically refers to water that is potable.
飲のみ込こむ (nomikomu) — to swallow, gulp down. This verb describes ingesting something completely. It can also figuratively mean "to understand" or "to accept."

Common Words & Compounds

Explore these common words and compounds that use the kanji 飲, grouped by theme to aid memorization and contextual understanding.

Beverages and Consumption

飲いん料りょう (inryō) — beverage, drink. This is a general term for any liquid you consume.
飲いん食しょく (inshoku) — eating and drinking; food and drink. You'll often see this in signs for establishments like 飲食店 (inshokuten, restaurant).
飲のみ物もの (nomimono) — drink, beverage. While similar to 飲料, this term is frequently used in more casual settings.
清せい涼りょう飲いん料りょう (seiryō inryō) — refreshing drink, soft drink.
温おん飲いん料りょう (oninryō) — warm drink.
冷れい飲いん料りょう (reiinryō) — cold drink.

Actions and Habits

飲のむ (nomu) — to drink. This is the fundamental verb form.
飲いん酒しゅ (inshu) — drinking alcohol.
飲いん用よう (inyō) — for drinking, potable. Often seen in phrases such as 飲用水 (inyōsui), meaning drinking water.
飲のみ込こむ (nomikomu) — to swallow, gulp down. This can also figuratively mean to comprehend or understand.
飲のみ干ほす (nomihosu) — to drink up, drain.

Places and People

飲のみ屋や (nomiya) — bar, pub. A common establishment for drinking alcohol.
飲のみ会かい (nomikai) — drinking party. A social gathering focused on drinking.
飲のみ助すけ (nomisuke) — heavy drinker. This refers to someone who consumes a significant amount of alcohol.

Example Sentences

水みずを飲のみます。

mizu o nomimasu.

I drink water.

毎朝まいあさコーヒーを飲のみます。

maiasa kōhī o nomimasu.

I drink coffee every morning.

暑あついので、冷つめたい飲のみ物ものが欲ほしいです。

atsui node, tsumetai nomimono ga hoshii desu.

It's hot, so I want a cold drink.

喉のどが渇かわいたので、ジュースを飲のみました。

nodo ga kawaita node, jūsu o nomimashita.

My throat was dry, so I drank juice.

薬くすりは食後しょくごに水みずと一緒いっしょに飲のんでください。

kusuri wa shokugo ni mizu to issho ni nonde kudasai.

Please take the medicine with water after meals.

彼かれはおお酒さけを飲のむのが好すきです。

kare wa osake o nomu no ga suki desu.

He likes drinking alcohol.

健康けんこうのために、毎日まいにちたくさん水みずを飲のむようにしています。

kenkō no tame ni, mainichi takusan mizu o nomu yō ni shiteimasu.

For my health, I try to drink a lot of water every day.

熱中症ねっちゅうしょうを防ふせぐために、こまめに飲のみ物ものを飲のんでください。

necchūshō o fusegu tame ni, komame ni nomimono o nonde kudasai.

To prevent heatstroke, please drink beverages frequently.

仕事しごとの後あとに同僚どうりょうと一杯いっぱい飲のみに行いきました。

shigoto no ato ni dōryō to ippai nomi ni ikimashita.

I went for a drink with my colleagues after work.

Related Kanji

Memory Tip

To remember the kanji 飲, visualize its components: 食 (shoku), meaning "food" or "to eat," and 欠 (ketsu), which you can imagine as a gaping mouth or a person with an open mouth. Picture a person (represented by 欠) eagerly bringing food or drink (食) to their open mouth for consumption. This creates a strong visual link between the components and the action of "drinking" or "ingesting," making 飲 easier to remember. Simply think: "food going into an open mouth."