Translation guide
DUI (driving under the influence) is a legal concept in English-speaking countries. In Japan, the equivalent is 飲酒運転 (drinking and driving), which is strictly prohibited. This guide explains how to talk about DUI in Japanese, from legal terms to casual conversation.
To refer to the crime of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as a legal charge or offense.
The standard term for drunk driving. It literally means 'drinking alcohol and driving'. It covers both being over the legal limit and driving after any alcohol consumption.
彼は飲酒運転で逮捕された。
He was arrested for DUI.
A legal term meaning 'driving with alcohol in one's breath'. It refers to driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above the legal limit but below the level for 'drunken driving'. It is a specific charge under Japanese law.
酒気帯び運転で罰金を払った。
I paid a fine for DUI (driving with alcohol in my system).
A legal term for 'drunken driving', meaning driving while visibly intoxicated. This is a more serious charge than 酒気帯び運転.
酒酔い運転は重罪です。
Drunken driving is a serious crime.
The English acronym is sometimes used in Japan, especially in news about foreign countries or in contexts where the English term is recognized. However, it is not a standard Japanese term.
アメリカでDUIで捕まった。
I got busted for DUI in the US.
To describe the action of driving after drinking or using drugs, without necessarily referring to a legal charge.
The verb phrase meaning 'to drink and drive'. It is the most common way to express the act.
飲酒運転は絶対にしないでください。
Please never drink and drive.
A more literal phrase: 'drink alcohol and drive'. It is less formal than 飲酒運転をする but commonly used in warnings and everyday speech.
酒を飲んで運転してはいけません。
You must not drink and drive.
A well-known slogan meaning 'If you drink, don't drive'. It is a concise, memorable phrase often used in public awareness campaigns.
「飲んだら乗るな」は大切なルールです。
'If you drink, don't drive' is an important rule.
To refer to someone who has been arrested or convicted for DUI.
Literally 'a person with a prior DUI conviction'. This is a natural way to describe someone with a DUI record.
彼は飲酒運転の前科がある。
He has a DUI on his record.
Means 'a person who got caught for DUI'. It is a more casual way to refer to someone who was arrested.
飲酒運転で捕まった人は免許停止になる。
People caught for DUI get their license suspended.
To refer to a police checkpoint specifically for catching drunk drivers.
The standard term for a sobriety checkpoint or DUI checkpoint. It literally means 'alcohol inspection'.
昨夜、飲酒検問に引っかかった。
Last night I got stopped at a DUI checkpoint.
A shorter, more general term for a police checkpoint. It can refer to any type of checkpoint, but in context it often implies a DUI checkpoint.
この先、検問があるらしい。
I heard there's a checkpoint up ahead.
The acronym 'DUI' is not commonly used in Japanese. Use 飲酒運転 or the specific legal terms instead. Using 'DUI' may cause confusion unless the listener is familiar with English legal terms.
Under Japanese law, 酒気帯び運転 (driving with alcohol in breath) is a lesser charge based on BAC, while 酒酔い運転 (drunken driving) is based on visible intoxication. Both are serious offenses, but 酒酔い運転 carries harsher penalties.
The phrase 飲んだら乗るな (If you drink, don't drive) is widely recognized and can be used in conversation to emphasize the importance of not drinking and driving.
彼は去年、飲酒運転で捕まった。
He got a DUI last year.
日本では飲酒運転は重罪です。
DUI is a serious crime in Japan.
私は絶対に飲酒運転をしません。
I never drink and drive.