Translation guide
Describes the mild, pleasant intoxication from alcohol, before full drunkenness. Japanese has several common expressions, with ほろ酔い being the most standard and natural.
Express that someone is mildly drunk, feeling good but not heavily intoxicated.
The most common and natural word for 'tipsy'. It implies a light, pleasant buzz. Can be used as a noun or with する.
He's tipsy and in a good mood.
Literally 'good feeling', often used to describe the pleasant state of being tipsy. More subjective and casual.
I had a little to drink and got tipsy.
Means 'the alcohol is starting to take effect', often used when the tipsy feeling begins. Not exclusively tipsy, but commonly used in early stages.
A literary or formal term for slight intoxication. Rare in everyday speech.
酔っ払う (よっぱらう) means 'to get drunk' and implies a stronger state of intoxication, often with negative connotations. It is not equivalent to 'tipsy'.
He got drunk and shouted loudly.
I'm feeling a little tipsy.
I went home feeling tipsy.
I only drank a little, but I'm starting to feel tipsy.
to be slightly intoxicated
ほろ酔い is a light, pleasant buzz; 酔っ払い (よっぱらい) is a drunk person, often implying loss of control. Use ほろ酔い for 'tipsy'.
He's tipsy but still coherent.
That drunk person is sleeping on the street.
She gets tipsy easily.