non-drinker; someone who cannot drink alcohol
Refers to a person who cannot drink alcohol, often due to low tolerance or personal choice. Contrasts with 上戸 (じょうご), a drinker.
See also: 上戸
私は下戸なので、お酒は飲めません。
I'm a non-drinker, so I can't drink alcohol.
彼は下戸だから、いつもウーロン茶を頼む。
He's a non-drinker, so he always orders oolong tea.
下戸 refers to someone who cannot drink alcohol, while 上戸 refers to someone who can drink well or enjoys drinking.
下戸 is counted with 人 since it describes a type of person.
Standard kanji spelling; commonly used in news and everyday contexts.
Katakana spelling sometimes used for emphasis or in casual writing.
下戸 also designated the lowest household grade under the ancient administrative system. Its drinking sense is traditionally linked to the smaller amount of sake served to such households, though Chinese-derived explanations have also been proposed.