jiǔguǐ: 酒鬼 - Drunkard, Alcoholic

• Keywords: jiugui, jiǔguǐ, 酒鬼, drunkard in Chinese, alcoholic in Chinese, Chinese word for drunk, heavy drinker, Chinese drinking culture, what is a jiugui, 酒鬼 meaning
• Summary: Learn the meaning and cultural significance of the Chinese word 酒鬼 (jiǔguǐ), which translates to “drunkard” or “alcoholic.” This comprehensive guide explores its literal meaning of “alcohol ghost,” its strong negative connotation in modern China, and how it contrasts with the country's vibrant social drinking culture. Discover how to use this powerful term correctly through practical examples and avoid common mistakes.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiǔguǐ
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: A person who drinks alcohol excessively and habitually; a drunkard, an alcoholic.
• In a Nutshell: 酒鬼 (jiǔguǐ) is a vivid and blunt term for someone with a serious drinking problem. The word literally translates to “alcohol ghost,” painting a picture of a person who is haunted or possessed by alcohol. It carries a heavy social stigma and is almost always used negatively. While it can occasionally be used in a self-deprecating or joking manner between very close friends, it's generally considered a harsh label and a serious insult.

• 酒 (jiǔ): This character means alcohol, wine, or liquor. It is composed of the water radical `氵(shuǐ)` on the left, indicating it's a liquid, and `酉 (yǒu)` on the right, an ancient pictograph of a wine jar.
• 鬼 (guǐ): This character means ghost, spirit, or demon. It's a pictograph that originally depicted a figure with a large, strange head, representing a supernatural being.
• Together, 酒鬼 (jiǔguǐ) creates a powerful image: an “alcohol ghost.” This implies that the person's identity and essence have been taken over by their addiction to alcohol, as if they are a spirit dedicated solely to drinking.

Alcohol holds a complex and central role in Chinese society. It is a vital tool for social bonding, building relationships (guānxi), and sealing business deals. This social drinking, known as 应酬 (yìngchou), is often seen as a necessary skill. However, there is a sharp distinction between a capable social drinker and a 酒鬼 (jiǔguǐ). Chinese culture, influenced by Confucian values of moderation, self-control, and maintaining social face (miànzi), strongly condemns a lack of discipline. Being labeled a 酒鬼 signifies a complete loss of this control. It suggests the person cannot fulfill their social and familial duties, bringing shame not only upon themselves but also their family. Compared to the English term “alcoholic,” 酒鬼 is less clinical and more judgmental. “Alcoholic” can be used in a medical context (e.g., “He is a recovering alcoholic”), which frames it as a disease. 酒鬼, with its “ghost” imagery, is a folk term that frames the issue as a deep character flaw or a moral failing. It's more akin to calling someone a “boozehound” or “drunkard,” but with a deeper cultural weight attached to the loss of face and control.

酒鬼 (jiǔguǐ) is primarily used as a derogatory label. Its connotation is almost always negative.

• As an Insult: Calling someone a 酒鬼 to their face is a direct and severe insult. It implies they are lazy, unreliable, and have no self-respect.
• As a Warning or Description: It can be used to describe someone with a known drinking problem. For example, parents might warn their child not to associate with a neighborhood 酒鬼.
• Joking/Teasing (Use with Extreme Caution): Among very close, trusted friends, it can be used in a teasing way. For instance, if a friend is always the first to suggest going for drinks, you might laugh and say, “你真是个酒鬼!” (You're such a boozehound!). This is highly informal and depends heavily on the relationship and tone of voice. For a learner, it's safest to avoid this usage.

• Example 1:
  • 他父亲是个老酒鬼，什么事都不做。
  • Pinyin: Tā fùqīn shì ge lǎo jiǔguǐ, shénme shì dōu bú zuò.
  • English: His father is an old drunkard who doesn't do anything.
  • Analysis: Here, 老 (lǎo) adds emphasis, meaning “old” or “inveterate.” The term is used to pass a strong negative judgment on the father's character and behavior.
• Example 2:
  • 别理那个酒鬼，他喝醉了。
  • Pinyin: Bié lǐ nàge jiǔguǐ, tā hēzuì le.
  • English: Don't pay attention to that drunkard, he's drunk.
  • Analysis: This is a direct, dismissive use of the term to label someone who is currently intoxicated and likely causing a problem.
• Example 3:
  • 我开玩笑的，你别真以为我是酒鬼啊！
  • Pinyin: Wǒ kāiwánxiào de, nǐ bié zhēn yǐwéi wǒ shì jiǔguǐ a!
  • English: I'm just kidding, don't actually think I'm an alcoholic!
  • Analysis: This shows a person clarifying that their previous comment about drinking was a joke, highlighting the negative weight of being seriously considered a 酒鬼.
• Example 4:
  • 每天晚上都喝酒，他快变成一个酒鬼了。
  • Pinyin: Měi tiān wǎnshang dōu hējiǔ, tā kuài biànchéng yí ge jiǔguǐ le.
  • English: He drinks every night, he's about to become a drunkard.
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses concern and describes a negative progression. 快 (kuài)…了 (le) indicates that this transformation is imminent.
• Example 5:
  • 嫁给一个酒鬼是她一生中最大的错误。
  • Pinyin: Jià gěi yí ge jiǔguǐ shì tā yìshēng zhōng zuìdà de cuòwù.
  • English: Marrying an alcoholic was the biggest mistake of her life.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses 酒鬼 to explain the root of a major life problem, emphasizing the devastating social and personal consequences of being with one.
• Example 6:
  • 哈哈，就喝一杯，我又不是酒鬼。
  • Pinyin: Hāhā, jiù hē yì bēi, wǒ yòu bú shì jiǔguǐ.
  • English: Haha, just one glass, it's not like I'm an alcoholic.
  • Analysis: A common, lighthearted way to refuse more alcohol, using the denial of being a 酒鬼 as the reason for moderation.
• Example 7:
  • 这条街上的邻居都知道他是个出了名的酒鬼。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tiáo jiē shàng de línjū dōu zhīdào tā shì ge chū le míng de jiǔguǐ.
  • English: The neighbors on this street all know he's a notorious drunkard.
  • Analysis: 出了名 (chū le míng) means “famous for” or “notorious.” This shows that the label of 酒鬼 is part of his public reputation.
• Example 8:
  • 为了健康，他决心不再当酒鬼。
  • Pinyin: Wèile jiànkāng, tā juéxīn búzài dāng jiǔguǐ.
  • English: For the sake of his health, he is determined to stop being an alcoholic.
  • Analysis: Here, 当 (dāng) means “to be” or “to act as.” The sentence frames “being a 酒鬼” as a state that one can decide to leave.
• Example 9:
  • 你看你，又在喝酒！真是个无可救药的酒鬼！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kàn nǐ, yòu zài hējiǔ! Zhēnshì ge wú kě jiù yào de jiǔguǐ!
  • English: Look at you, drinking again! You're truly a hopeless alcoholic!
  • Analysis: 无可救药 (wú kě jiù yào) is a strong idiom meaning “incurable” or “hopeless.” This is a very harsh criticism, likely said out of frustration to someone with a severe problem.
• Example 10:
  • 今晚我们都当一次酒鬼，不醉不归！
  • Pinyin: Jīnwǎn wǒmen dōu dāng yí cì jiǔguǐ, bú zuì bù guī!
  • English: Tonight, let's all be drunkards, we're not going home until we're drunk!
  • Analysis: This is an example of hyperbolic, informal use among friends. They are not literally alcoholics, but are using the term to mean “let's drink a lot and have fun.” The phrase 不醉不归 (bú zuì bù guī) reinforces this celebratory, unrestrained context.

• Common Mistake: Using 酒鬼 to describe someone who simply enjoys drinking. Many people in China enjoy drinking socially and may even have a high tolerance (jiǔliàng), but they are not 酒鬼. Calling a social drinker a 酒鬼 is a serious misjudgment and can be very offensive.
• False Friend Alert: 酒鬼 (jiǔguǐ) is NOT the same as a “connoisseur” or “social drinker.” A wine connoisseur would be a `品酒师 (pǐnjiǔshī)`. A social drinker is just someone who `喜欢喝酒 (xǐhuān hējiǔ)`. 酒鬼 exclusively refers to someone with a problematic dependency on alcohol.
• Incorrect Usage Example:
  • Incorrect: 我的老板很会喝酒，他是个很棒的酒鬼。 (Wǒ de lǎobǎn hěn huì hējiǔ, tā shì ge hěn bàng de jiǔguǐ.)
  • Reason: This is a huge mistake. While “很会喝酒” (is good at drinking) can be a compliment in a business context, calling him a “很棒的酒鬼” (a great alcoholic) is a nonsensical and deeply insulting contradiction. You are labeling him as having a shameful addiction.
  • Correct Alternative: 我的老板酒量很好。 (Wǒ de lǎobǎn jiǔliàng hěn hǎo.) - “My boss has a high alcohol tolerance.”

• 喝酒 (hējiǔ) - The verb “to drink alcohol.” This is the neutral action.
• 醉 (zuì) - The adjective “drunk” or “intoxicated.” This describes a temporary state.
• 酒量 (jiǔliàng) - “Alcohol capacity” or “drinking tolerance.” A person with a high 酒量 can drink a lot without getting drunk.
• 酗酒 (xùjiǔ) - A more formal and clinical term for “alcoholism” or “excessive drinking.” Similar to 酒鬼, but used in more serious or written contexts.
• 酒品 (jiǔpǐn) - “Alcohol character.” It refers to a person's behavior and personality when they are drunk. Good 酒品 means they are pleasant when drunk; bad 酒品 means they become aggressive or unpleasant.
• 应酬 (yìngchou) - Social engagements, often obligatory for business or networking, that almost always involve drinking.
• 干杯 (gānbēi) - “Cheers!” The literal meaning is “dry the cup,” often implying you should finish your glass.
• 酒文化 (jiǔ wénhuà) - “Drinking culture,” referring to all the customs, rituals, and social rules surrounding the consumption of alcohol in China.