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酒鬼 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
酒鬼jiǔguǐdrunkardHSK 5, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #5032, Hard
jiǔguǐ(jiu3gui3)jiu gui T3
  1. 1drunkard
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March 24, 2026

酒鬼jiǔguǐ(jiu3gui3)

The term '酒鬼' (jiǔguǐ) refers to a 'drunkard' or someone who is excessively fond of drinking alcohol. It is often used in a colloquial context to describe a person who frequently drinks to the point of intoxication, sometimes carrying a negative connotation regarding their behavior and lifestyle.

Strokes19Frequency#5032DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, drinking is often a social activity, and being labeled a '酒鬼' can reflect not just on the individual but also on their family's reputation. Drinking culture is deeply ingrained, and there are traditional customs surrounding alcohol consumption during festivals and celebrations.

Memory Tip

Imagine a ghost ('鬼') that haunts a bar filled with bottles of wine ('酒'). This ghost is always seen stumbling around and making a scene, embodying the idea of a drinker who can't control their alcohol consumption. The sound of 'jiǔ' resembles 'jew' which can help you remember the word by picturing a party where the ghost is the life of the party but also gets too drunk.

Meanings of 酒鬼

jiǔguǐ(jiu3gui3)
1drunkard
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About 酒鬼

酒鬼Simplified
19Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

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AI Study Notes for 酒鬼

Quick Contrast

醉汉 (zuìhàn) refers to a 'drunken man' and is more specific to a state of intoxication, while 酒鬼 (jiǔguǐ) implies a habitual drinker with a negative connotation.

Usage Notes

While '酒鬼' is commonly used in informal conversations, be cautious about using it in formal settings as it may come off as disrespectful. It's often used in light-hearted contexts among friends, but referring to someone as a '酒鬼' can also imply a serious issue with alcohol, so be mindful of the situation.

HSK Study Tips

Although '酒鬼' is not an HSK vocabulary word, it combines two HSK Level 1 words: '酒' (alcohol) and '鬼' (ghost). Students should focus on recognizing the components and how they combine to create a broader meaning. Understanding this word can enhance vocabulary related to social interactions involving drinking.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '酒鬼' with '酒家' (jiǔjiā), which means 'wine house' or 'bar'. Remember, '酒鬼' refers specifically to a person who drinks excessively, while '酒家' refers to a place where alcohol is served.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 酒鬼

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Component Characters

酒jiǔwine (esp. rice wine)
HSK 310 strokes酉
View full entry
鬼guǐghost
HSK 79 strokes鬼
View full entry

How to say drunkard in Chinese

“drunkard” in Chinese is酒鬼jiǔguǐ

The term '酒鬼' (jiǔguǐ) refers to a 'drunkard' or someone who is excessively fond of drinking alcohol. It is often used in a colloquial context to describe a person who frequently drinks to the point of intoxication, sometimes carrying a negative connotation regarding their behavior and lifestyle.

When to use 酒鬼

While '酒鬼' is commonly used in informal conversations, be cautious about using it in formal settings as it may come off as disrespectful. It's often used in light-hearted contexts among friends, but referring to someone as a '酒鬼' can also imply a serious issue with alcohol, so be mindful of the situation.

酒鬼 or something close to it

醉汉 (zuìhàn) refers to a 'drunken man' and is more specific to a state of intoxication, while 酒鬼 (jiǔguǐ) implies a habitual drinker with a negative connotation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '酒鬼' with '酒家' (jiǔjiā), which means 'wine house' or 'bar'. Remember, '酒鬼' refers specifically to a person who drinks excessively, while '酒家' refers to a place where alcohol is served.

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酒
鬼

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Frequently Asked Questions about 酒鬼

No, '酒鬼' is informal and typically used in casual conversation.

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