醉

• Pinyin: zuì
• Hanzi breakdown: 醉 = 酉 (wine vessel) + 卒 (soldier) — drunk from wine

Meaning

Drunk; intoxicated. The state of being affected by alcohol to the point of impaired judgment or coordination.

Can be used literally for alcohol intoxication or figuratively for being 'intoxicated' by beauty, success, or other experiences. Common expressions include 喝醉 (to get drunk) and 陶醉 (to be enchanted).

Examples

1. 他昨晚喝醉了，说了很多平时不会说的话。 He got drunk last night and said many things he wouldn't normally say.
2. 开车前绝对不能喝酒，醉驾是违法的。 You absolutely cannot drink before driving — drunk driving is illegal.
3. 她被眼前的美景陶醉了。 She was enchanted by the beautiful scenery before her.

Usage Guide

Context: social, everyday, legal

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 我已经有点醉了，不能再喝了。(I'm already a bit drunk — I can't drink anymore.)
• 他醉得连路都走不稳。(He was so drunk he couldn't even walk steadily.)

Don't Say

• 赞美别人说'你很醉' (Don't use 醉 to compliment someone — in slang context it can mean ridiculous or crazy; use 很厉害 or similar for praise)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character: 酉 (wine vessel) indicates meaning, 卒 (soldier, end) provides sound.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal