Whether you’re ordering a coffee at a café, enjoying a refreshing juice, or exploring traditional Japanese beverages, knowing drinks vocabulary in Japanese is essential for any learner. This guide will introduce you to a wide range of drink-related words, from everyday beverages to Japan’s unique traditional drinks.

Why Learn Drinks Vocabulary in Japanese?

Understanding drinks vocabulary in Japanese is useful in multiple situations:
✔️ Ordering at a restaurant or café
✔️ Shopping for beverages in Japan
✔️ Learning about Japanese food culture
✔️ Making small talk with locals

By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to confidently talk about drinks in Japanese and even customize your order at a Japanese café or bar.

Common Drinks Vocabulary in Japanese

Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of drinks vocabulary in Japanese, complete with romaji (Romanized pronunciation) and English translations.

1. Basic Drinks in Japanese

These are the most commonly consumed drinks in Japan:

📌 Example Sentence:
🔹 お水をください。
🔹 Mizu o kudasai.
🔹 Please give me water.

2. Tea & Coffee Vocabulary in Japanese

Tea culture is deeply ingrained in Japan, and coffee is also widely popular.

📌 Example Sentence:
🔹 コーヒーを一杯お願いします。
🔹 Kōhī o ippai onegai shimasu.
🔹 One cup of coffee, please.

3. Juice & Soft Drinks in Japanese

Juices and sodas are widely available in Japan, often sold in vending machines and convenience stores.

📌 Example Sentence:
🔹 りんごジュースはありますか？
🔹 Ringo jūsu wa arimasu ka?
🔹 Do you have apple juice?

4. Dairy & Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Japanese

Milk-based drinks are popular among all age groups, whether it’s for breakfast or a warm cup before bedtime.

📌 Example Sentence:
🔹 牛乳は体に良いです。
🔹 Gyūnyū wa karada ni yoi desu.
🔹 Milk is good for your health.

5. Alcoholic Drinks in Japanese

If you’re visiting an izakaya (Japanese pub), it’s useful to know how to order alcoholic drinks in Japanese.

📌 Example Sentence:
🔹 日本酒が好きです。
🔹 Nihonshu ga suki desu.
🔹 I like Japanese sake.

6. How to Order Drinks in Japanese

When ordering drinks at a café, restaurant, or bar in Japan, these phrases will be useful:

✔ お水をください。 (Mizu o kudasai.) – Please give me water.
✔ コーヒーを一杯お願いします。 (Kōhī o ippai onegai shimasu.) – One cup of coffee, please.
✔ 日本酒を一本ください。 (Nihonshu o ippon kudasai.) – One bottle of sake, please.
✔ 氷なしでお願いします。 (Kōri nashi de onegai shimasu.) – No ice, please.
✔ ホットかアイスかどちらがよろしいですか？ (Hotto ka aisu ka dochira ga yoroshī desu ka?) – Would you like hot or iced?

7. Fun Facts About Japanese Drinks

✅ Vending Machine Craze – Japan has vending machines selling a variety of drinks, from canned coffee to hot soup!
✅ Nomikai Culture – Drinking parties (nomikai) are a big part of work and social culture in Japan.
✅ Unique Drinks – Try Calpis (カルピス), a Japanese soft drink with a yogurt-like taste, or Amazake (甘酒), a sweet fermented rice drink!

Conclusion: Mastering Drinks Vocabulary in Japanese

Now that you know essential drinks vocabulary in Japanese, you’re ready to order confidently at cafés, restaurants, and bars in Japan! Whether you prefer ocha (お茶, green tea), kōhī (コーヒー, coffee), or bīru (ビール, beer), these words will help you navigate drink menus like a pro.

Want to keep learning? Check out more Japanese vocabulary guides and expand your knowledge today! 🍵🍹

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