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March 24, 2026
酗xù(xu4)
The character 酗 (xù) refers to the state of being excessively drunk or intoxicated, often implying a violent or uncontrollable behavior due to drinking. It is commonly used in contexts relating to alcohol abuse or when describing someone who is drinking to the point of losing self-control.
Strokes11Radical酉Frequency#57401DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, drinking is often a social activity, but excessive drinking is frowned upon, particularly when it leads to loss of control. The word 酗 reflects societal concerns about alcohol abuse and its impact on family and community.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wild party where people are drinking so much that they lose their cool—this is 酗. The character has the radical for 'alcohol' (酉), and you can picture a person (represented by the character's form) getting 'raging drunk,' emphasizing the chaotic nature of excessive drinking.
Meanings of 酗
xù(xu4)
1drunk
2violent, raging drunk, blotto
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 酗
酗Simplified
11Strokes
酉Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#57401Frequency Rank
Podcast: 酗
Podcast: 酗
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AI Study Notes for 酗
Quick Contrast
酗 (xù) vs 醉 (zuì) — use 酗 when emphasizing excessive or uncontrollable drinking behavior, while 醉 simply refers to being drunk without the connotation of violence or loss of control.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a wild party where people are drinking so much that they lose their cool—this is 酗. The character has the radical for 'alcohol' (酉), and you can picture a person (represented by the character's form) getting 'raging drunk,' emphasizing the chaotic nature of excessive drinking.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 酗, as it carries a negative connotation and is used in serious contexts related to alcohol abuse. Common collocations include 酗酒 (xù jiǔ) meaning 'to drink excessively.' Avoid using it in casual settings where lighter terms for drinking might be more appropriate.
HSK Study Tips
酗 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, so it may not be encountered until intermediate levels. Students should familiarize themselves with related words like 酒 (jiǔ, alcohol) and 醉 (zuì, drunk) to build a broader understanding of drinking-related vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, drinking is often a social activity, but excessive drinking is frowned upon, particularly when it leads to loss of control. The word 酗 reflects societal concerns about alcohol abuse and its impact on family and community.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 酗 with 醉, thinking they can be used interchangeably, but 酗 specifically connotes violent or excessive drinking. For instance, saying '我昨天酗酒' (I drank too much yesterday) may not convey the intended meaning if the behavior was not violent or extreme.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 酗
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Grammar Patterns of 酗
酗 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他现在正为____酒付出沉重的代价。
He drank too much and is paying dearly for it.
Example Sentences for 酗 (10)
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1
他现在正为酗酒付出沉重的代价。
tā xiàn zài zhèng wéi xù jiǔ fù chū chén zhòng de dài jià。
He drank too much and is paying dearly for it.
2
他以极大的勇气承认自己酗酒。
tā yǐ jí dà de yǒng qì chéng rèn zì jǐ xù jiǔ。
He showed great courage by admitting that he is an alcoholic.
3
他个人的心魔让他多年以来酗酒度日。
tā gè rén de xīn mó ràng tā duō nián yǐ lái xù jiǔ dù rì。
His private demons drove him to drink excessively for many years.
4
许多人都患有能够辨识的酗酒、吸毒或心理障碍。
xǔ duō rén dū huàn yǒu néng gòu biàn shí de xù jiǔ、 、 xī dú huò xīn lǐ zhàng。
Many suffered from a definable alcohol, drug, or mental disorder.
5
孕妇酗酒可能会危及腹中胎儿。
yùn fù xù jiǔ kě néng huì wēi jí fù zhōng tāi ér。
Pregnant women who are heavy drinkers risk damaging the unborn foetus.
In 1985, he began to show signs of alcohol and drug dependency.
8
设置“理智饮酒日”的主要目的是让人们了解酗酒的恶果。
shè zhì“ “ lǐ zhì yǐn jiǔ” rì ” de zhǔ yào mù de shì ràng rén mén le jiě xù jiǔ de。
Drinkwise Day is mainly designed to educate people about the destructive effects of alcohol abuse.
9
他的事业一落千丈,开始酗酒吸毒以寻求慰借.
tā de shì yè yī luò qiān zhàng, , kāi shǐ xù jiǔ xī dú yǐ xún qiú wèi.
His career took a nosedive and he turned to drink and drugs for solace.
10
这只是为让那些酗酒者戒酒所尝试的方法之一。
zhè zhī shì wéi ràng nà xiē xù jiǔ zhě jiè jiǔ suǒ cháng shì de fāng fǎ zhī yī。
This is but one of the methods used to try and get alcoholics to give up drink.
Cultural Notes for 酗
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, drinking is often a social activity, but excessive drinking is frowned upon, particularly when it leads to loss of control. The word 酗 reflects societal concerns about alcohol abuse and its impact on family and community.
Word Family of 酗
Words Containing This Character2
酗酒xùjiǔheavy drinking
酗xùdrunk
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 酗酒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 酗
酗 implies not only being drunk but also being out of control or violent, while 醉 simply means to be drunk.
No, 酗 has a negative connotation and is used to describe harmful drinking behavior.
It can be, particularly in discussions about social issues related to alcohol abuse.
