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March 24, 2026
醉zuì(zui4)
The character 醉 (zuì) primarily means 'intoxicated' or 'drunk,' typically referring to the state of being under the influence of alcohol. It can also imply a sense of being addicted to something, such as a passion or feeling. This term is commonly used in both social and literary contexts to describe a euphoric or overwhelming state.
Strokes15Radical酉Frequency#1159DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, drinking is often associated with social bonding and celebration, making the state of being 醉 a common theme in literature and folklore. The way alcohol is consumed and the social rituals surrounding it reflect deeper values of friendship and hospitality in Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person at a party, holding a large 'z' (for 'zuì') shaped bottle of wine, completely lost in the joy of the moment. The character 醉 combines the radical for 'liquor' (酒) with the element for 'to be' (醉), visually linking the act of drinking with the feeling of intoxication.
Meanings of 醉
zuì(zui4)
1intoxicated
2intoxicated, drunk; addicted
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 醉
醉Simplified
15Strokes
酉Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1159Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 醉
Podcast: 醉
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AI Study Notes for 醉
Quick Contrast
醉 (zuì) vs 陶醉 (táozuì) — use 醉 for intoxication from alcohol, while 陶醉 conveys a sense of being enchanted or absorbed in a non-alcoholic context.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person at a party, holding a large 'z' (for 'zuì') shaped bottle of wine, completely lost in the joy of the moment. The character 醉 combines the radical for 'liquor' (酒) with the element for 'to be' (醉), visually linking the act of drinking with the feeling of intoxication.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing zuì, as a mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words. This verb is often used informally, but in literary contexts, it can convey deeper emotional states. Common collocations include 醉酒 (drunk from wine) and 醉心 (infatuated).
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 5, students should focus on the various contexts in which 醉 can be used, both literally and metaphorically. Connecting it with other words relating to emotions or states of being will enhance understanding. Review other HSK 5 vocabulary that deals with feelings and states to see how they interrelate.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, drinking is often associated with social bonding and celebration, making the state of being 醉 a common theme in literature and folklore. The way alcohol is consumed and the social rituals surrounding it reflect deeper values of friendship and hospitality in Chinese society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 醉 with the similar-sounding word 着 (zhe), leading to incorrect sentences like '我喝酒着' instead of '我喝醉了' (I am drunk). Pay attention to the context to avoid mixing these up.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 醉
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Grammar Patterns of 醉
醉 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.
Every year, 5000 people have life-threatening reactions to anaesthetics.
9
希腊人认为紫水晶可以防止人喝醉。
xī là rén rèn wéi zǐ shuǐ jīng kě yǐ fáng zhǐ rén hē zuì。
Amethyst was believed by the Greeks to protect a person from drunkenness.
10
他有时让人难以容忍——自我中心，自我陶醉。
tā yǒu shí ràng rén nán yǐ róng rěn—— —— zì wǒ zhōng， xīn ， zì wǒ。
He was insufferable at times — self-centred and narcissistic.
Cultural Notes for 醉
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, drinking is often associated with social bonding and celebration, making the state of being 醉 a common theme in literature and folklore. The way alcohol is consumed and the social rituals surrounding it reflect deeper values of friendship and hospitality in Chinese society.
Word Family of 醉
Words Containing This Character20
醉zuìintoxicated
麻醉mázuìanesthesia
陶醉táozuìto be drunk with
沉醉to become intoxicated
喝醉to get drunk
麻醉剂narcotic麻醉劑
醉鬼drunkard
灌醉to fuddle
醉醺醺drunk
麻醉药anesthetic麻醉藥
醉汉drunkard醉漢
酒醉to become drunk
如痴如醉obsessed with如癡如醉
醉心enthralled
心醉enchanted
迷醉bewitched
麻醉师anaesthetist麻醉師
自我陶醉self-satisfied
醉生梦死in a drunken stupor醉生夢死
纸醉金迷lit. dazzling with paper and gold (idiom); fig. indulging in a life of luxury紙醉金迷
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 醉 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 醉
醉 (zuì) specifically refers to the state of being drunk or intoxicated, while 饮 (yǐn) means 'to drink' and does not imply intoxication. Understanding the context in which each word is used can help clarify their meanings.
You can use 醉 (zuì) in sentences like '他喝醉了' (Tā hē zuì le), which means 'He is drunk.' It can also be used metaphorically, such as '我醉在美景中' (Wǒ zuì zài měijǐng zhōng), meaning 'I am intoxicated by the beautiful scenery.'
醉 (zuì) means 'intoxicated' or 'drunk' in Chinese. It can refer to being under the influence of alcohol or being overwhelmed by strong emotions. Additionally, it can also imply addiction to something.
Common phrases include 醉酒 (drunk from alcohol) and 醉心 (infatuated), which show how the term can convey both physical and emotional states.
While it primarily refers to being drunk, 醉 can also describe an overwhelming feeling related to love or passion.
Make sure to use the fourth tone; it should sound sharp and falling.
