Japanese word

酔い

Pronunciation

Romajiyoi

Meaning

  • noundrunkenness

Example

お酒の酔いがさめました。o sake no yo i ga sa me ma shi ta

The effects of the alcohol have worn off.

Illustration for 酔い (drunkenness)

More examples

酒の酔いで、帰り道を間違えました。sake no yo i de kae ri michi o ma chiga e ma shi ta

Because of my drunkenness, I took the wrong route home.

Core concept

Describes the altered condition in which alcohol changes a person's awareness and physical control.

Common phrases

  • 酔いが回るyo i ga mawa ru

    feel the alcohol take effect

  • 酔いがさめるyo i ga sa me ru

    sober up

  • 酔いが残るyo i ga noko ru

    still feel drunk

  • 酔いをさますyo i o sa ma su

    clear one's head

  • 酔いが抜けるyo i ga nu ke ru

    the effects of alcohol wear off

Similar words

酩酊meitei: A formal term for a state of drunkenness caused by alcohol.
泥酔deisui: A state of extreme drunkenness with greatly reduced awareness and physical control.

Definition in Japanese

酒の作用で、意識や身体の働きが通常と異なる状態。sake no sa yō de i shiki ya shin tai no hatara ki ga tsū jō to koto na ru jō tai

Word origin

The noun 酔い (yoi, "drunkenness") comes from the continuative stem of 酔う (yō, "to become intoxicated").

Usage tips

  • The noun 酔い (yoi) can describe a range from a mild buzz to clear intoxication, so context shows how strong the condition is.

Opposites

  • しらふshirafusobrietynoun

Word lists with this word