Translation guide
How to express 'sipping' a drink in Japanese, covering the action, sound, and related expressions.
To drink a liquid slowly, taking small amounts into the mouth at a time.
To take one small mouthful of a drink, often to taste or test it.
Literally 'drink one mouthful'. The most common way to say 'take a sip' as a single action.
一口飲んでみて。
Take a sip and see (how it tastes).
彼はコーヒーを一口飲んだ。
He took a sip of coffee.
The sound made when sipping, especially noodles or soup.
Onomatopoeia for slurping noodles or soup. Often used in manga or casual speech.
彼はラーメンをずずずとすすった。
He slurped his ramen with a 'zuzuzu' sound.
すする implies a slurping sound and is natural for hot liquids or noodles. 少しずつ飲む is a more neutral description of drinking slowly in small amounts, without the sound nuance. Use すする when the sound is part of the action, and 少しずつ飲む when you just want to describe the manner of drinking.
音を立ててすするのはマナー違反だと思う人もいる。
Some people think slurping loudly is bad manners.
猫がミルクを少しずつ飲んでいる。
The cat is lapping up the milk little by little.
In Japan, slurping noodles or soup (すする) is generally acceptable and even considered a sign of enjoyment. However, in formal settings or with certain people, it might be seen as impolite. When in doubt, observe others.
I sip tea.
彼は味噌汁をすすった。
He sipped his miso soup.
Literally 'drink little by little'. A clear, neutral way to describe sipping without the slurping nuance.
熱いので、少しずつ飲んでください。
It's hot, so please sip it slowly.
Colloquial onomatopoeic phrase meaning to sip or nurse a drink, often used for alcohol. Implies taking very small sips over a long period.
彼はビールをちびちび飲んでいた。
He was sipping his beer slowly.
Can also be used for a single sip, especially with a slurping sound.
ラーメンのスープを一口すすった。
I took a sip of the ramen broth.
Onomatopoeia for a quieter sipping sound, like sipping through a straw.
ストローでジュースをちゅーと吸った。
I sipped the juice through a straw with a 'chuu' sound.