Verb Conjugation「飲む (のむ、nomu)」drink, will drink | Learn Japanese Grammar

Japanese verbs have conjugations.「飲む (のむ、nomu)」is a verb and means “drink” or “will drink.” We will teach you the conjugation on this page. You can also learn example sentences using verb conjugations.

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Vocabulary Video

Before you learn the conjugations, please learn about the pronunciation of the verb in dictionary and polite forms.

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Dictionary Form/ます Form

As you know, English tenses are roughly divided into present, future, and past tenses. However, it is said that Japanese tenses consist only of “Past Tense” and “Non-Past Tense.” Therefore, we used “Dictionary Form,” not “Present Tense” in this heading.
Japanese people use two types of language. One is “non-honorific language” and the other is “honorific language.” When we focus on these languages, “dictionary” and “plain” forms are in “non-honorific language.” “Polite form” is in honorific language.

English Meaning: drink, will drink

Positive	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Dictionary & Plain Form	飲のむ	nomu
ます & Polite Form	飲みます	nomimasu

「辞書じしょ形けい (dictionary form)」is the original form. The technical term is for non-native Japanese speakers. Therefore, native Japanese usually do not know the word.「ます形けい (ます form)」is the polite form of a dictionary form. The term is also for non-native Japanese speakers.

My mother will drink beer tonight.

母ははは今晩こんばんビールを飲む。(Plain Form)
母は今晩ビールを飲みます。(Polite Form)

English Meaning: do not drink, will not drink

Negative	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	飲のまない	nomanai
Polite Form	飲みません	nomimasen

My mother won’t drink beer tonight.

母は今晩ビールを飲まない。(Plain Form)
母は今晩ビールを飲みません。(Polite Form)

Past Tense

English Meaning: drank

The plain form is in “た form”. “た form” is also a technical term for non-native Japanese speakers. Therefore, native Japanese usually do not know the word.

Positive	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
た & Plain Form	飲のんだ	nonda
Polite Form	飲みました	nomimashita

Kato-san drank iced coffee during his break.

加藤かとうさんは休憩中きゅけいちゅうにアイスコーヒーを飲んだ。(Plain Form)
加藤さんは休憩中にアイスコーヒーを飲みました。(Polite Form)

English Meaning: did not drink

Negative	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	飲のまなかった	nomanakatta
Polite Form	飲みませんでした	nomimasen deshita

John didn’t drink iced coffee during his break.

加藤さんは休憩中にアイスコーヒーを飲まなかった。(Plain Form)
加藤さんは休憩中にアイスコーヒーを飲みませんでした。(Polite Form)

て Form

English Meaning: N/A

We cannot know the exact meaning without knowing the sentence and situation.

	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
て Form	飲のんで	nonde

About the phrases「ている」and「ています」: Here
About the phrase「～てください。」: Here

Ai-san took medicine and went to school.

愛あいさんは薬くすりを飲んで学校がっこう行いきました。(Polite Form)

In this case,「て」means “and” or “after.”

Volitional Form 1: Will, (Own) Intention, Determination

English Meaning: will drink

	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	飲のもう	nomō
Polite Form	N/A	N/A

This phrase is used only in plain form. This is because we use it when we talk to ourselves or think in our minds. When we talk or think to ourselves, we usually do not use the polite form.

I’ll drink cola.

コーラを飲もう。(Plain Form)

Volitional Form 2: Solicitation, Intention, Invitation

English Meaning: let’s drink

	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	飲のもう	nomō
Polite Form	飲みましょう	nomimashō

Let’s drink black tea together.

一緒いっしょに紅茶こうちゃを飲もう。(Plain Form)
一緒に紅茶を飲みましょう。(Polite Form)

Potential

English Meaning: can drink/be able to drink

Positive	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	飲のめる	nomeru
Polite Form	飲めます	nomemasu

Lin-san can drink bitter coffee.

リンさんは苦にがいコーヒーが飲める。(Plain Form)
リンさんは苦いコーヒーが飲めます。(Polite Form)

English Meaning: cannot drink/not able to drink

Negative	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	飲のめない	nomenai
Polite Form	飲めません	nomemasen

Lin-san can’t drink bitter coffee.

リンさんは苦いコーヒーが飲めない。(Plain Form)
リンさんは苦いコーヒーが飲ません。(Polite Form)

Imperative Form

English Meaning: drink! (order, command)

Positive	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	飲のめ	nome

Take medicine quickly!

早はやく薬くすりを飲め。(Plain Form)

“Imperative form” is used only in plain form and this phrase often becomes rude depending on the situation. Please show us your Japanese when you use it. We will check and teach suitable Japanese.
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Prohibition and Order

English Meaning: do not drink!

Negative	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	飲のむな	nomuna

Don’t drink alcohol!

お酒さけを飲むな。(Plain Form)

Conditional Form

English Meaning: if (subject) drink

Conjugation	Romaji Reading
飲のめば	nomeba

It’s cold today, so drinking some cocoa will warm your body.

今日きょうは寒さむいのでココアを飲めば、体からだが暖あたたまるでしょう。 (Polite Form)

Hypothetical/Definite Conditions, Sequence of Actions

English Meanings: if/when ~ drink, ~ drank and ~

The form「～たら」has different usages. It has other meanings except from those listed above. More explanations are in our conversation lessons or mail support.

Conjugation	Romaji Reading
飲のんだら	nondara

Here is an example sentence wherein「たら」indicates a “sequence of actions.”

After drinking cocoa, my body warmed up.

ココアを飲んだら、体からだが暖あたたまりました。(Polite Form)

Causative Form

English Meaning: make/let/have (person) drink

Positive	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	飲のませる	nomaseru
Polite Form	飲ませます	nomasemasu

I’ll make my daughter take cold medicine.

娘むすめに風邪かぜ薬ぐすりを飲ませる。(Plain Form)
娘に風邪薬を飲ませます。(Polite Form)

English Meaning: do not make/let/have (person) drink

Negative	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	飲のませない	nomasenai
Polite Form	飲ませません	nomasemasen

I don’t let my boyfriend drink whiskey.

彼氏かれしにウイスキーを飲ませない。 (Plain Form)
彼氏にウイスキーを飲ませません。(Polite Form)

To Learn Correct Verb Conjugations

Japanese verb conjugation is too complicated and there are many learners who use it incorrectly. Therefore, we provide lessons and services where we teach and correct your Japanese daily. If you want to know more about the details, please check out our website.
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