10 Expressions You Need to Know before Drinking in Japan

Gathering around food and drinks in an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) to smooth relationships (including and especially work-related ones) is an important part of Japanese culture. It is often nicknamed ”nominication,” a portmanteau word derived from the verb “nomu”(to drink in Japanese), and “communication”.

Joining Japanese people at the izakaya is a good way to break the ice and get to know them better. If you go to small, five- or six-seat places, you may even make new friends. However, there are some words that are useful in these situations that are usually not taught in school or in your typical Japanese language manual. Here are 10 useful expressions and concepts that may come handy for your first (or next) drinking experience in Japan.

1) Nomihoudai (飲み放題), Tabehoudai (食べ放題)

If you are going to an izakaya with Japanese people to celebrate something, chances are they will have made some research about the best courses and this often includes nomihoudai, and sometimes tabehoudai plans as well.

Nomihoudai (from 飲む [nomu]: drink, and 放題 [houdai]: as much as you want) is, as the name indicates, an “all-you-can-drink” plan. For a limited time (two- or three-hour plans are most common), you can order as many drinks as you want from a limited…