DUI
Meaning: Driving Under the Influence — operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
A DUI is one of the most serious traffic offenses in America. Different states use different acronyms — DUI, DWI (Driving While Intoxicated), OUI, OWI — but the concept is the same. Getting a DUI means arrest, license suspension, fines, possible jail time, and a permanent record. It's a major social stigma and a frequent topic in American conversations about responsibility.
Examples
- He got a DUI after the Super Bowl party. 他在超级碗派对后酒驾被抓了。Le pillaron conduciendo borracho después de la fiesta del Super Bowl.彼はスーパーボウルのパーティーの後に飲酒運転で捕まった。그는 슈퍼볼 파티 후에 음주운전으로 잡혔다.
- She lost her license after her second DUI. 她第二次酒驾后被吊销了驾照。Perdió el carné después de su segunda detención por conducir ebria.彼女は2回目のDUIの後に免許を取り消された。그녀는 두 번째 DUI 이후 면허가 취소됐다.
- Don't risk a DUI — just call an Uber. 别冒酒驾的风险——叫个Uber吧。No te la juegues con un DUI — llama a un Uber.DUIのリスクを冒すな——Uberを呼べ。DUI 위험을 감수하지 마 — 그냥 우버를 불러.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: law, drinking, driving safety
Tone: serious, cautionary
✓ Do Say
- Don't drink and drive — you'll get a DUI.别酒后开车——你会被抓酒驾的。No bebas y conduzcas — te caerá un DUI.飲んだら乗るな——DUIで捕まるぞ。술 마시고 운전하지 마 — DUI 걸린다.
- He's dealing with a DUI case right now.他现在正在处理一桩酒驾案子。Ahora mismo está lidiando con un caso de DUI.彼は今DUIの裁判を抱えてる。그는 지금 음주운전 소송 중이야.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't joke about DUIs — they kill thousands of Americans every year别拿酒驾开玩笑——每年有数千美国人因此丧生No bromees con los DUI — matan a miles de estadounidenses cada añoDUIを冗談にしないこと——毎年何千人ものアメリカ人が飲酒運転で亡くなっているDUI를 농담거리로 삼지 말 것 — 매년 수천 명의 미국인이 이것으로 목숨을 잃는다
Origin & History
American legal abbreviation that entered common speech in the 1970s-80s as anti-drunk driving campaigns (led by organizations like MADD) raised public awareness.
Cultural Context
Era: 1970s-80s
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
More From This Topic
More from Driving & Travel
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free