飲(の)み会(かい)

のみかい

noun

drinking party, social gathering with drinks

informalsociety consumption

1. drinking party, social gathering with drinks

A casual social event centered around drinking alcohol, typically with coworkers, friends, or club members.

今夜(こんや)飲(の)み会(かい)がある。

There's a drinking party tonight.

会社(かいしゃ)の飲(の)み会(かい)に参加(さんか)する。

I'm attending a work drinking party.

飲(の)み会(かい)で盛(も)り上(あ)がった。

We had a great time at the drinking party.

毎週(まいしゅう)金曜日(きんようび)に友達(ともだち)と飲(の)み会(かい)をしている。

I have drinks with friends every Friday.

飲(の)み会(かい) is a common term for social drinking gatherings, especially in workplace or student contexts. These are often held at izakayas (Japanese pubs) or restaurants.

Related terms

歓迎会(かんげいかい): welcome party
送別会(そうべつかい): farewell party
忘年会(ぼうねんかい): end-of-year party
新年会(しんねんかい): New Year's party
女子会(じょしかい): girls' night out
合(ごう)コン: group blind date

In Japanese work culture, 飲(の)み会(かい) is considered an important opportunity for team bonding, though attitudes toward mandatory attendance are changing.

Related Words

Related: 宴会(えんかい) (banquet, party)

Related: 女子会(じょしかい) (girls' night out)

Compare: パーティー (party)

Related: 飲(の)み放題(ほうだい) (all-you-can-drink)

Related: 飲(の)みニケーション (bonding over drinks)

Related: 帰宅(きたく)ラッシュ (evening rush hour)

Compare: 酒宴(しゅえん) (drinking party)

Compare: 晩酌(ばんしゃく) (evening drink)

Compare: 親睦会(しんぼくかい) (social gathering)

Compare: 酒席(しゅせき) (drinking party)

general

Added 2026.2.1 17:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

09000/09371_nomikai