Translation guide
The concept of consuming large amounts of alcohol, often to excess. Japanese has several common expressions ranging from neutral to colloquial, and the best choice depends on context and nuance.
To describe drinking a lot of alcohol in a general sense, often in social settings.
A common, neutral term for drinking heavily or drinking too much. Often used when talking about overindulging.
昨日は深酒をしてしまった。
I drank too much last night.
A straightforward, literal way to say 'drink a large amount of alcohol'. More descriptive than idiomatic.
彼は毎晩酒を大量に飲む。
He drinks a large amount of alcohol every night.
A more formal or literary term for excessive drinking, often used in medical or cautionary contexts.
暴飲は健康に悪い。
Excessive drinking is bad for your health.
To emphasize drinking with the intention of getting drunk, often in a short period.
Literally 'drinking in one go', this refers to chugging or downing a drink quickly. Often associated with binge drinking culture.
一気飲みは危険です。
Chugging drinks is dangerous.
A colloquial term for guzzling or drinking greedily, often used for beer or other beverages.
A very casual verb meaning to drink heavily and continuously, like 'drink like a fish'.
週末はいつも飲みまくっている。
I always drink like a fish on weekends.
To refer to habitual excessive drinking or alcohol dependence.
The medical term for alcoholism or alcohol dependence.
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.
A noun meaning 'heavy drinker' or 'person who drinks a lot'. Can be used neutrally or negatively.
A derogatory term for a drunkard or habitual heavy drinker.
深酒 is the most common and neutral term for drinking too much, often used in everyday conversation. 暴飲 is more formal and often appears in written warnings or health advice. It is less common in casual speech.
深酒に注意しましょう。
Let's be careful not to drink too much.
暴飲暴食は避けてください。
Please avoid excessive drinking and eating.
The literal translation '重い飲酒' (omoi inshu) is not natural Japanese. Avoid using it. Use the expressions provided instead.
ビールをがぶ飲みした。
I guzzled beer.
父は大酒飲みだ。
My father is a heavy drinker.
That drunkard is making a racket again.