Translation guide
The medical condition of alcohol dependence, as well as the social concept of excessive drinking. Japanese distinguishes between the clinical term and everyday expressions for heavy drinking or problem drinking.
Referring to alcoholism as a diagnosed medical disorder or addiction.
The standard clinical term for alcohol dependence or alcoholism. Used in medical and formal contexts.
彼はアルコール依存症の治療を受けている。
He is receiving treatment for alcoholism.
Colloquial abbreviation of アルコール中毒. Can sound derogatory or self-deprecating; use with care.
Can be offensive; avoid in formal or respectful contexts.
あの人はアル中だって噂だよ。
Rumor has it that person is an alcoholic.
Literally 'alcohol poisoning' or 'alcohol addiction'. Less common than アルコール依存症 for the chronic condition, and may imply acute intoxication.
アルコール中毒で入院した。
He was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning.
Describing someone who drinks too much regularly, without necessarily a clinical diagnosis.
Describes a lifestyle of being constantly drunk or soaked in alcohol. Conveys chronic excessive drinking.
彼は酒浸りの生活を送っている。
He leads a life soaked in alcohol.
A derogatory term for a drunkard or someone who drinks all the time. Strongly negative.
Insulting; avoid in polite conversation.
Literally 'big drinker'. Refers to someone who drinks a lot, not necessarily an alcoholic. Can be neutral or slightly negative.
Describes someone who behaves badly when drunk, implying a drinking problem. Not a direct translation of 'alcoholism', but often used in context.
彼は酒癖が悪いから気をつけて。
He's a nasty drunk, so be careful.
Focusing on the harmful pattern of drinking, often episodic.
Formal term for excessive drinking. Used in health warnings and official contexts.
過度の飲酒は健康に悪影響を及ぼします。
Excessive drinking has a negative impact on health.
Everyday term for drinking too much on a single occasion or in general.
昨日は飲み過ぎて頭が痛い。
I drank too much yesterday and have a headache.
Abbreviation of 'alcohol harassment'. Refers to pressuring someone to drink, often in workplace settings. Related to alcohol abuse culture.
アルコール依存症 is the clinical term for alcoholism as a disease. 酒浸り is a descriptive, often judgmental phrase for someone whose life revolves around drinking. Use the former in medical or serious discussions, the latter in casual, negative descriptions.
彼はアルコール依存症と診断された。
He was diagnosed with alcoholism.
酒浸りの毎日で体を壊した。
He ruined his health with a life of constant drinking.
The English word 'alcoholism' is often used loosely for heavy drinking. In Japanese, directly translating it as アルコール依存症 may sound overly clinical. Choose the expression based on whether you mean the medical condition or just excessive drinking.
彼はただの飲み過ぎだよ。アル中じゃない。
He just drinks too much. He's not an alcoholic.
彼はただの飲み過ぎだよ。アル中じゃない。
He just drinks too much. He's not an alcoholic.
あの飲んだくれがまた騒いでる。
That drunkard is making a racket again.
彼は大酒飲みだが、仕事はちゃんとしている。
He's a heavy drinker, but he does his job properly.
Alcohol harassment has become a social issue.