====== hē zuì: 喝醉 - To Be Drunk, Intoxicated ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** hē zuì, 喝醉, to be drunk in Chinese, how to say drunk in Mandarin, Chinese word for intoxicated, get drunk Chinese, hējiǔ, 喝酒, Chinese drinking culture, baijiu culture, get drunk, intoxicated in Chinese.
  * **Summary:** Learn how to say "to be drunk" in Chinese with our deep dive into the term **喝醉 (hē zuì)**. This comprehensive guide for beginners covers the core meaning of being "intoxicated," its crucial role in **Chinese drinking culture**, and how to use it correctly in conversation. Understand the difference between **hē zuì** and related terms like **喝酒 (hējiǔ)**, and explore practical examples to master the social nuances of being **drunk in Mandarin**.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** hē zuì
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb-complement phrase
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 3
  * **Concise Definition:** To become drunk or intoxicated from drinking alcohol.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **喝醉 (hē zuì)** is a compound word that literally means "drink-drunk." It's not just a state of being, but the result of an action. 喝 (hē) is the action "to drink," and 醉 (zuì) is the resulting state "drunk." So, it perfectly describes the process and result of becoming intoxicated through drinking.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **喝 (hē):** This character means "to drink." It's composed of the "mouth" radical 口 (kǒu) on the left, signifying an action done with the mouth. The right side, 曷 (hé), primarily provides the phonetic sound.
  * **醉 (zuì):** This character means "drunk" or "intoxicated." Its radical is 酉 (yǒu) on the left, which is the "wine vessel" radical, directly linking it to alcohol. The right side, 卒 (zú), contributes the phonetic sound.
  * When combined, **喝醉 (hē zuì)** creates a clear and logical meaning: to use your mouth (喝) to drink from a wine vessel (醉) until you reach the state of being drunk.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In China, drinking—especially the potent liquor **白酒 (báijiǔ)**—is often far more than a casual social activity. It's a fundamental part of building relationships (**关系, guānxi**), showing respect, and conducting business. The act of getting **喝醉 (hē zuì)** can carry complex social weight.
In a business or formal banquet setting, drinking with a partner or client is a sign of sincerity and commitment. Refusing a drink can sometimes be seen as disrespectful. Being willing to **喝醉 (hē zuì)** with someone can be a powerful, non-verbal way of saying, "I trust you and am open with you." It's a way to break down barriers and build rapport quickly.
This contrasts with many Western business contexts where becoming visibly drunk is considered highly unprofessional. In China, while making a fool of oneself is still a risk of losing "face" (**面子, miànzi**), the shared experience of drinking heavily can forge strong bonds that are considered essential for long-term cooperation. Therefore, understanding the context of **喝醉** is key to navigating many social and professional situations in China.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**喝醉 (hē zuì)** is a common term used in a variety of everyday situations. Its connotation can be neutral, negative, or even humorous depending on the context.
  * **Casual Conversation:** With friends, it's used to describe a night out or express a state of being. The addition of the particle **了 (le)** is extremely common, as in **喝醉了 (hē zuì le)**, to indicate the completed change of state.
  * **Expressing Concern:** You might use it to warn a friend not to drink too much before driving or to check if they are okay.
  * **Business Banquets:** The term is ever-present. You'll hear people being urged to drink (**劝酒, quànjiǔ**) and jokes being made about who might get **喝醉** first.
  * **Formality:** The term itself is neutral in formality and can be used in almost any situation, from a casual chat to a more serious discussion about someone's drinking habits.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 他昨天晚上**喝醉**了。
    * Pinyin: Tā zuótiān wǎnshang **hē zuì** le.
    * English: He got drunk last night.
    * Analysis: A simple, factual statement. The particle **了 (le)** indicates that the action of getting drunk is completed. This is the most common way to use the term.
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 你**喝醉**了吗？小心点儿。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ **hē zuì** le ma? Xiǎoxīn diǎnr.
    * English: Are you drunk? Be careful.
    * Analysis: A common question used to show concern for a friend.
  * **Example 3:** 
    * 我没**喝醉**，我只是有点儿头晕。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ méi **hē zuì**, wǒ zhǐshì yǒudiǎnr tóuyūn.
    * English: I'm not drunk, I'm just a little dizzy.
    * Analysis: This shows the negative form, using **没 (méi)**. It's a classic denial you might hear at a party.
  * **Example 4:** 
    * 为了庆祝，我们今天不**喝醉**不归！
    * Pinyin: Wèile qìngzhù, wǒmen jīntiān bù **hē zuì** bù guī!
    * English: To celebrate, we're not going home until we're drunk!
    * Analysis: A common, boisterous set phrase (不醉不归, bù zuì bù guī) used among close friends to mean "let's party all night." The first "bù" is often omitted as it is here.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 他**喝**得太**醉**了，话都说不清楚了。
    * Pinyin: Tā **hē** de tài **zuì** le, huà dōu shuō bu qīngchu le.
    * English: He is so drunk that he can't even speak clearly.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses the verb-得-complement structure to describe the degree of drunkenness. The verb **喝 (hē)** is separated from its result **醉 (zuì)** to emphasize *how* drunk he is.
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 开车前千万别**喝醉**。
    * Pinyin: Kāichē qián qiānwàn bié **hē zuì**.
    * English: Absolutely do not get drunk before driving.
    * Analysis: A strong warning. **千万别 (qiānwàn bié)** means "by all means, do not..." and is used for serious advice.
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 他酒量不好，一杯啤酒就能**喝醉**。
    * Pinyin: Tā jiǔliàng bù hǎo, yī bēi píjiǔ jiù néng **hē zuì**.
    * English: He has a low alcohol tolerance; he can get drunk from just one beer.
    * Analysis: This example introduces the useful concept of **酒量 (jiǔliàng)**, or alcohol capacity.
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 李老板，别让他**喝醉**了，他明天还要开会。
    * Pinyin: Lǐ lǎobǎn, bié ràng tā **hē zuì** le, tā míngtiān hái yào kāihuì.
    * English: Boss Li, don't let him get drunk, he still has a meeting tomorrow.
    * Analysis: This sentence shows how one might politely intervene on someone else's behalf in a social or business setting.
  * **Example 9:** 
    * 我一**喝醉**就喜欢唱歌。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ yī **hē zuì** jiù xǐhuān chànggē.
    * English: As soon as I get drunk, I like to sing.
    * Analysis: The structure **一...就... (yī...jiù...)** means "as soon as... then...". It's perfect for describing a habitual reaction.
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 她不是因为伤心才喝酒的，她只是想**喝醉**。
    * Pinyin: Tā bùshì yīnwèi shāngxīn cái hējiǔ de, tā zhǐshì xiǎng **hē zuì**.
    * English: She isn't drinking because she's sad, she just wants to get drunk.
    * Analysis: This sentence differentiates the action (**喝酒, hējiǔ**) from the desired result (**喝醉, hē zuì**).
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **`喝醉 (hē zuì)` vs. `醉 (zuì)`:**
    * **喝醉 (hē zuì)** is a verb phrase meaning "to *get* drunk." It emphasizes the action and the result.
    * **醉 (zuì)** is an adjective meaning "drunk."
    * In many cases, **他喝醉了 (tā hē zuì le)** and **他醉了 (tā zuì le)** are interchangeable, both meaning "He is drunk." However, **喝醉** explicitly states the cause was drinking. You can't say `*他开车醉了` ("he drove-drunk"), but you can say `他喝醉了以后开车` ("he drove after getting drunk").
  * **The Essential `了 (le)`:** A common mistake for learners is omitting **了 (le)**. Saying `我喝醉 (wǒ hē zuì)` sounds like you are describing a general habit ("I get drunk") rather than your current state. To say "I am drunk," you must say **我喝醉了 (wǒ hē zuì le)** to indicate the change of state has occurred.
  * **False Friend: "Tipsy" vs. "Drunk":** **喝醉** usually implies being fully drunk, not just "tipsy" or "buzzed." For a milder state of intoxication, you would be more likely to say:
    * **有点儿醉 (yǒudiǎnr zuì):** a little drunk
    * **微醺 (wēixūn):** pleasantly tipsy, buzzed (more literary/formal)
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * **[[喝酒]] (hējiǔ):** To drink alcohol. This is the action that leads to **喝醉**.
  * **[[醉]] (zuì):** The adjective form, meaning "drunk" or "intoxicated."
  * **[[酒]] (jiǔ):** The general term for alcohol, liquor, or wine.
  * **[[干杯]] (gānbēi):** "Cheers!"; literally "dry the cup." A command to drink up during a toast.
  * **[[白酒]] (báijiǔ):** A very strong, clear Chinese liquor that is central to the traditional drinking culture.
  * **[[劝酒]] (quànjiǔ):** The social act of urging or pressuring others to drink more, often as a sign of hospitality or respect.
  * **[[酒量]] (jiǔliàng):** A person's capacity or tolerance for alcohol.
  * **[[宿醉]] (sùzuì):** Hangover. The state you are in the day after you **喝醉**.
  * **[[醉鬼]] (zuìguǐ):** "Drunkard" or "alcoholic"; literally "drunken ghost." A negative term for someone who is often drunk.