Question
I’m traveling to Japan for a business trip and I’ve been invited to a formal dinner with Japanese colleagues. How do I politely decline an alcoholic drink, saying “I don’t drink alcohol,” in Japanese?
Japango Editor Team
お酒（さけ）は飲（の）みません。
Osake wa nomimasen.
I don’t drink alcohol.
This is a straightforward way to politely decline an alcoholic drink. “Osake” means “alcohol,” and “nomimasen” means “do not drink.”
In Japanese culture, it’s common to be offered alcoholic beverages during dinner gatherings. If you prefer not to drink, this phrase will convey your message politely. If you want to add an apology for declining, you could say, “申し訳（もうしわけ）ありませんが、お酒は飲みません” (Moushiwake arimasen ga, osake wa nomimasen), meaning “I’m sorry, but I don’t drink alcohol.”
Understanding and using polite forms can greatly help in observing Japanese etiquette, especially in formal or business settings. Enjoy your trip!
