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.
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'.
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.
He's a heavy drinker.
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).
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'.
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.
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.
「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.
He's a drinker, but he does his job properly.
That drinker, did he drink too much again?
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).
He's a heavy drinker.
I'm not much of a drinker.
She's a social drinker.
My father is a drinker and has a drink every evening.
あの飲んべえ、また居酒屋にいるよ。
That drinker is at the pub again.
彼は酒豪として知られている。
He is known as a heavy drinker.
It's a party that even non-drinkers can enjoy.
That drunkard is sleeping on the street again.
Medical term for alcohol dependence or alcoholism. Used in clinical or formal contexts.
He is receiving treatment for alcoholism.