Spanish Conversation · Level 96
60 words
Spanish word
abstemio
Pronunciation
IPA/aβsˈtemjo/
Meaning
- adjectiveteetotal
Example
En mi familia, todos son abstemios.
Everyone in my family is teetotal.
More examples
Desde hace años es abstemio por convicción.
He has been teetotal out of conviction for years.
Core concept
Person who avoids drinking alcohol for conviction or health.
Common phrases
ser abstemio
be teetotal
abstemio por convicción
teetotal out of conviction
Similar words
abstinente: Refrains from drinking alcohol as an act of restraint that can be temporary or situational.
sobrio: Not intoxicated; sober and not under the influence right now.
moderado: Keeps alcohol consumption moderate, avoiding heavy or excessive drinking.
Definition in Spanish
Dicho de una persona: que evita beber alcohol por convicción, por salud u otra razón.
Word origin
From Latin abstemius, built from ab- 'away from' and temetum 'strong drink', and adopted into Spanish to denote someone who refrains from alcohol.
Usage tips
- Abstemio is relatively formal in speech, and speakers commonly say no bebe alcohol or ask ¿Bebes? when bringing the topic up in conversation.
Other meanings
- abstinentadjective
- abstemiousadjective
Opposites
- alcohólicoalcoholicadjective
Related words
- abstenerserefrainverb
- abstenciónabstentionnoun