Translation guide
A place where people gather to drink, socialize, or relax, often a bar or pub. Can also refer to a natural water source for animals.
A casual place where people go to drink alcohol and socialize, like a bar, pub, or tavern.
A general term for a drinking establishment, like a bar or pub. Very common and natural.
A place where wild animals go to drink water, like a pond or stream.
Literally 'water-drinking place'. Used for both animal watering holes and human drinking fountains.
サバンナの水飲み場には多くの動物が集まる。
Many animals gather at the watering hole on the savanna.
The English phrase 'watering hole' is an idiom for a bar. In Japanese, 水飲み場 (water fountain) or 水場 (water place) are not used for bars. Use 飲み屋 or 居酒屋 for the bar meaning.
On weekends, I go to my usual watering hole.
A Japanese-style pub that serves food and drinks. Very common for casual drinking and eating.
あの居酒屋は雰囲気がいい。
That watering hole has a great atmosphere.
A bar, often more Western-style. Can be used for a watering hole, though slightly less casual than 飲み屋.
彼は新しいバーを見つけた。
He found a new watering hole.
A pub, specifically British/Irish style. Less common but understood.
あのパブはビールの種類が多い。
That watering hole has many kinds of beer.
A water place; can refer to a natural water source for animals or a place to get water.
象が水場に向かって歩いている。
Elephants are walking toward the watering hole.