zuì: 醉 - Drunk, Intoxicated, Infatuated

Keywords: zui, 醉, Chinese for drunk, get drunk in Chinese, intoxicated in Chinese, infatuated in Chinese, what does zui mean, 醉了, 我醉了, pinyin zui, Chinese drinking culture, Chinese slang

Summary: Discover the full meaning of 醉 (zuì), the versatile Chinese word for “drunk.” This comprehensive guide goes beyond the literal meaning of being intoxicated with alcohol. Learn how 醉 (zuì) is also used poetically to express being “infatuated” with a person, “enchanted” by a beautiful view, or “captivated” by music. We'll explore its deep roots in Chinese culture, its use in modern slang like “我也是醉了” (I'm speechless), and provide practical example sentences to help you master this essential HSK 4 character.

Pinyin (with tone marks): zuì

Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective

HSK Level: HSK 4

Concise Definition: To be drunk or intoxicated; to be enchanted or infatuated.

In a Nutshell: 醉 (zuì) is the go-to word for being drunk from alcohol. But its meaning extends far beyond the bar. Think of it as being “intoxicated” by anything that completely absorbs your attention—a beautiful sunset, a moving piece of music, or even a person you're in love with. It captures a state of being overwhelmed and lost in a pleasant feeling, whether from wine or from wonder.

醉 (zuì) is a phono-semantic compound character, meaning it's made of parts that suggest both meaning and sound.

酉 (yǒu): This is the semantic (meaning) component, or radical. It's a picture of an ancient wine jar. Whenever you see this radical in a character, it's almost always related to alcohol, fermentation, or spirits.

卒 (zú): This is the phonetic (sound) component. On its own, it can mean “soldier” or “to finish.” Here, it primarily gives the character its “zu” sound.

How they combine: The “wine jar” (酉) plus the “finish” sound (卒) logically creates the character 醉 (zuì). You can remember it as being “finished” by the contents of the wine jar—in other words, getting drunk.

In China, alcohol (酒, jiǔ) is not just a drink; it's a cornerstone of culture, central to business negotiations, social bonding, and artistic expression for thousands of years. The state of being 醉 (zuì) is therefore much more nuanced than the English word “drunk.”

Comparison to “Drunk”: In Western culture, being “drunk” often carries a purely recreational or even negative connotation (losing control, being sloppy). While 醉 (zuì) can certainly mean this, it also carries a deep, positive, and often romantic or philosophical meaning. The famous Tang dynasty poet Li Bai (李白) was said to have composed his best works while 醉, a state seen as liberating his creative genius. You can be 醉 from beauty, music, or love, which implies a profound, soul-stirring experience. Saying someone is “drunk on the scenery” in English sounds a bit strange, but saying someone is 为美景而醉 (wèi měijǐng ér zuì) in Chinese is poetic and beautiful.

Social and Business Context: In many social and business settings, drinking together is a vital part of building trust and 关系 (guānxi). Getting pleasantly tipsy or 醉 with a potential partner can be a sign of sincerity and camaraderie. It's a way of showing you're letting your guard down and are ready to connect on a more personal level.

Literal Drunkenness: This is its most common and straightforward usage. It's used as a resultative complement after the verb “to drink,” as in 喝醉了 (hē zuì le) - “got drunk.”

Metaphorical Intoxication: 醉 is frequently used to describe a state of being completely absorbed or enchanted by something. You'll often see it paired with other characters, like in 沉醉 (chénzuì) or 陶醉 (táozuì), to describe being mesmerized by art, music, a beautiful landscape, or love.

Modern Internet Slang: In recent years, the phrase 我也是醉了 (wǒ yěshì zuì le) has become extremely popular online and in casual conversation. It literally means “I'm also drunk,” but its actual meaning is closer to “I'm speechless,” “I can't even,” or “That's ridiculous.” It's used to express a feeling of exasperation or disbelief at a situation that is bizarre or frustrating. It's a sarcastic, humorous phrase and has nothing to do with alcohol.

Mistake 1: Not understanding the slang. The biggest pitfall for a learner is hearing 我也是醉了 (wǒ yěshì zuì le) and thinking the speaker is talking about alcohol. Remember, in 99% of modern contexts, this phrase expresses exasperation or disbelief.

Mistake 2: Using 醉 for drug intoxication. 醉 is overwhelmingly associated with alcohol or metaphorical enchantment. To talk about being high on drugs, you would use other terms related to 吸毒 (xīdú - to take drugs). Using 醉 would be incorrect.

False Friend: “Drunk” vs. “醉”. Do not assume 醉 has the same range of connotations as “drunk.” While both can be negative, 醉 has a much stronger positive, poetic, and philosophical dimension that “drunk” lacks. Translating a classic Chinese poem that uses 醉 as simply “drunk” often loses the intended beauty and meaning of being in a liberated, inspired state.

酒 (jiǔ) - Alcohol; wine; liquor. The substance that causes one to become 醉.

喝酒 (hējiǔ) - To drink alcohol. The action that leads to the state of 醉.

喝醉 (hēzuì) - A common verb-complement structure that explicitly means “to get drunk.”

陶醉 (táozuì) - To be enchanted by; to be mesmerized. A more literary term for being metaphorically 醉 by something beautiful like music or art.

沉醉 (chénzuì) - To be immersed in; to revel in. Similar to 陶醉, it implies being deeply “sunk” into a feeling or experience, like love or happiness.

麻醉 (mázuì) - Anesthesia; to anesthetize. Uses the character 醉 in a medical context to mean being put into an unconscious or numbed state.

微醺 (wēixūn) - Tipsy; slightly drunk. The pleasant state between sober and fully 醉.

宿醉 (sùzuì) - Hangover. The unpleasant physical state the day after being 醉.

酒鬼 (jiǔguǐ) - An alcoholic; a drunkard (literally “alcohol ghost”). A negative term for a person who habitually gets 醉.

干杯 (gānbēi) - Cheers!; Bottoms up! (literally “dry glass”). A phrase you will hear a lot before you get 醉.