Translation guide
A person who drinks alcohol, ranging from a casual drinker to a heavy or habitual one. Japanese has different words depending on the person's drinking habits, tolerance, and social context.
To refer to someone who drinks alcohol, without specifying how much or how often.
A neutral, descriptive phrase meaning 'a person who drinks'. It can be used for any drinker, but context usually implies alcohol.
彼はあまり飲む人ではない。
He's not much of a drinker.
More explicitly refers to alcohol. 'お酒' means alcohol. Slightly more polite or clear than just '飲む人'.
お酒を飲む人は電車で来てください。
Those who drink alcohol, please come by train.
To describe someone who drinks large amounts of alcohol frequently or has high tolerance.
A common, slightly casual term for a person who drinks a lot or likes to drink. Can be used affectionately or neutrally.
彼は大酒飲みだ。
He's a heavy drinker.
うちの父は酒飲みで、毎晩晩酌をする。
My father is a drinker and has a drink every evening.
Colloquial and somewhat old-fashioned term for a heavy drinker or drunkard. Often used humorously or affectionately.
Literary or formal term for a person with a strong capacity for alcohol; a 'heavyweight drinker'. Often used in writing or to praise someone's drinking ability.
To describe someone who does not drink alcohol at all or has very low tolerance.
A common term for a person who cannot drink alcohol or gets drunk easily. The opposite of '上戸' (heavy drinker).
私は下戸なので、すぐに酔ってしまいます。
I'm a non-drinker, so I get drunk easily.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'a person who cannot drink alcohol'. More descriptive and neutral than '下戸'.
お酒が飲めない人でも楽しめるパーティーです。
It's a party that even non-drinkers can enjoy.
To refer to someone who drinks habitually or is dependent on alcohol, often with a negative or clinical tone.
Abbreviation of 'アルコール中毒' (alcoholism). Colloquial and can be derogatory. Refers to an alcoholic or someone who is always drunk.
Can be offensive; use with care.
彼はアル中で仕事を失った。
He lost his job because he's an alcoholic.
A derogatory term for a drunkard or habitual drinker. Implies someone who is always drinking and useless.
Strongly negative; avoid in polite conversation.
To describe someone who drinks alcohol only in social settings or rarely.
A common phrase meaning 'only drinks socially' or 'drinks just to be sociable'. Implies the person is not a regular drinker.
私は付き合いで飲む程度です。
I'm just a social drinker.
Means 'only drinks occasionally'. Similar to the above but without the social nuance.
お酒はたまに飲む程度です。
I only drink occasionally.
「酒飲み」 is a neutral or slightly affectionate term for a drinker. 「飲んべえ」 is more colloquial and old-fashioned, often used jokingly. 「アル中」 is slang for an alcoholic and can be offensive. Choose based on the relationship and the degree of drinking.
彼は酒飲みだが、仕事はきちんとする。
He's a drinker, but he does his job properly.
あの飲んべえ、また飲みすぎたのか。
That drinker, did he drink too much again?
アル中にならないように気をつけて。
Be careful not to become an alcoholic.
When introducing yourself, it's common to say 「お酒は飲みますか？」 (Do you drink?) and answer with 「飲みます」 (I do) or 「飲めません」 (I can't). To specify how much, use phrases like 「少しだけ飲みます」 (I drink just a little) or 「結構飲みます」 (I drink quite a bit).
彼は大酒飲みだ。
He's a heavy drinker.
私はあまり飲む方ではない。
I'm not much of a drinker.
彼女は付き合いで飲む程度だ。
She's a social drinker.
あの飲んべえ、また居酒屋にいるよ。
That drinker is at the pub again.
He is known as a heavy drinker.
That drunkard is sleeping on the street again.
Medical term for alcohol dependence or alcoholism. Used in clinical or formal contexts.
彼はアルコール依存症の治療を受けている。
He is receiving treatment for alcoholism.