Nomimashoo: Bonding Through Drinks in Japan

While I almost pause to publish this piece on such a topic, it’s hard to find a better way to get closer with others in Japan than enjoying a beverage together. The more friendships, business deals, and happier ties between work colleagues the better, right?

Luckily, Japan has also seen more and more non-alcoholic drinks come out, like Asahi’s delicious “Berry” zero-alcohol beer, so it’s possible to drink on healthy terms as well. So here’s to more laughter from knowing some Japanese drinking vocab…

Atsukan: Hot sake, usually drank in the winter, and heated up to conceal its (usually) cheap quality!

Chibi chibi: To sip drinks other than beer.

Chuhai: A compound word from parts of Shoochuu Highball, a term for cocktails (highballs) made out of distilled grains(shoochuu).

Hiyazake: Cold sake drinks.

Ikki ikki ikki! “Chug chug chug” (encouraging someone to drink fast; literally means “all at once”)

Ippai ikaga? How about a drink?

Kin kin: Ice-cold, chilled — usually applied for beer temperature.

Kyukambi: No alcohol day.

Namachuu kudasai: A glass of draft beer, please.

Ni kampai mototsuma/motodanna tachi! Cheers to all of my ex-wives/husbands! (ok, so ridiculous, it’s funny)

Nihonshu: Distilled rice wine made in Japan. The finest of all “sake” drinks.