Question
I’m traveling to Japan next month and trying to pack light, so I’d love to refill my bottle from the tap instead of buying plastic. I want to double-check with the staff at my hotel before I drink. How do I ask “Is the tap water safe to drink?” in Japanese?
Answer by Professional Japanese Teacher
水道水は飲めますか。
Suidousui wa nomemasu ka.
Is the tap water safe to drink?
Good news — tap water in Japan is almost everywhere safe to drink straight from the faucet, so the answer you’ll usually get is “hai, daijoubu desu” (yes, it’s fine). Suidousui is the everyday word for tap water, literally “water-supply water.” Nomemasu comes from nomu (to drink) and carries the sense of “can drink,” so the phrase asks whether the water is drinkable.
If you’re already holding a glass that’s been poured for you, it sounds more natural to point at it and ask “kore wa nomemasu ka?” (can I drink this?). Adding sumimasen at the start is a nice way to catch the staff’s attention politely before you ask.