hē zuì: 喝醉 - To Be Drunk, Intoxicated

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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 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).

• `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)

• 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.