ドリンク

A loanword from English "drink." While Japanese has native words for beverages (飲(の)み物(もの), 飲料(いんりょう)), ドリンク is the standard term on menus, in restaurants, and in commercial contexts. It has a slightly more modern, service-industry feel.

The compound ドリンクバー (drink bar) is a distinctly Japanese concept found in many family restaurants: a self-service beverage station where customers can refill unlimited drinks for a flat fee.

Common collocations

• ドリンクバー: drink bar (self-serve unlimited beverage station)
• ドリンクメニュー: drink menu
• ドリンク付(つ)き: comes with a drink (set meal)
• ソフトドリンク: soft drink (non-alcoholic)
• ドリンク代(だい): drink charge

Similar words

• 飲(の)み物(もの): drink, beverage — the native Japanese word; used in everyday conversation and menus alike
• 飲料(いんりょう): beverage — more formal, often seen in product labeling (飲料水(いんりょうすい) = drinking water)
• 飲料水(いんりょうすい): drinking water — specifically potable water