Translation guide
A person who is habitually drunk or addicted to alcohol. Japanese has many colorful terms, ranging from clinical to slang.
A person who regularly drinks to excess or is dependent on alcohol.
Common, slightly derogatory term for a habitual drunkard. Literally 'drink-fool'.
Someone who is intoxicated at the moment, often in a public place.
Direct translations like '酔っぱらい者' or '酒飲み人' are unnatural. Use the established terms above.
飲んだくれ implies a habitual drunkard, while 酔っ払い simply means someone who is currently drunk. 酔っ払い can be used for a one-time occurrence.
彼はすっかり飲んだくれになってしまった。
He's turned into a complete drunkard.
Abbreviation of アルコール中毒 (alcohol addiction). Casual and often derogatory; can refer to an alcoholic or someone who drinks too much.
あの人はアル中だから、毎日酒を飲んでいる。
That person is an alcoholic, so they drink every day.
Literally 'big drinker'. Emphasizes the large amount consumed rather than addiction.
彼は大酒飲みで、一晩に一升瓶を空ける。
He's a heavy drinker; he empties a whole 1.8L bottle in one night.
A person who becomes violent or troublesome when drunk. Focuses on behavior while intoxicated.
彼は酒乱だから、一緒に飲むのは危険だ。
He's a violent drunk, so it's dangerous to drink with him.
Colloquial, somewhat old-fashioned term for a heavy drinker or drunkard. Often used affectionately.
うちの祖父は大の飲兵衛で、毎晩晩酌を欠かさない。
My grandfather is a real drink-lover; he never misses his evening drink.
Most common word for a drunk person. Can be used for anyone who is visibly drunk.
駅前に酔っ払いが寝ていた。
A drunk was sleeping in front of the station.
Literary or formal term for a drunken man. Rare in everyday speech.
夜道で酔漢に絡まれた。
I was accosted by a drunkard on the street at night.