Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'drunk driving' is expressed through specific legal and colloquial terms. The most common and legally precise term is 飲酒運転, while 酒気帯び運転 refers to driving under the influence with a lower blood alcohol level. Colloquially, 飲酒運転 is widely used. There are also related terms for drunk drivers and the act of driving drunk.
To refer to the act of driving while intoxicated by alcohol, in a general or legal context.
The standard and most common term for drunk driving. It is used in legal contexts, news reports, and everyday conversation. Literally 'drinking-alcohol driving'.
飲酒運転は法律で禁止されています。
Drunk driving is prohibited by law.
彼は飲酒運転で逮捕された。
He was arrested for drunk driving.
A legal term specifically referring to driving with alcohol in one's breath or system, but below the threshold for 'drunk driving' (飲酒運転). It is a lesser offense but still illegal. Often used in traffic violation contexts.
酒気帯び運転で免許停止になった。
My license was suspended for driving under the influence (with alcohol detected).
A legal term for driving while heavily intoxicated, often used in contrast to 酒気帯び運転. It implies a higher level of impairment.
酒酔い運転は厳罰に処せられる。
Drunk driving (heavy intoxication) is severely punished.
To refer to a person who drives drunk.
Literally 'drunk driving person'. This is the standard term for a drunk driver.
飲酒運転者は厳しく罰せられる。
Drunk drivers are severely punished.
Refers to a driver who is heavily intoxicated, legally defined as 'drunk driving' as opposed to mere 'driving under the influence'. Used in legal and news contexts.
酒酔い運転者が事故を起こした。
A heavily intoxicated driver caused an accident.
To express the action of driving while drunk.
The most common way to say 'to drive drunk'. Literally 'to do drunk driving'.
絶対に飲酒運転をしてはいけない。
You must never drive drunk.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'to drink alcohol and then drive'. It is less formal but clearly conveys the action.
酒を飲んで運転するのは危険だ。
Drinking and driving is dangerous.
In Japanese, there is no direct equivalent to the English phrase 'drink-driving' as a single word. Use 飲酒運転 for the concept. Avoid literal translations like 飲み物運転 (のみものうんてん), which is nonsensical.
飲酒運転 (いんしゅうんてん) is the general term for drunk driving and is used when the driver is clearly intoxicated. 酒気帯び運転 (しゅきおびうんてん) is a legal term for driving with alcohol in the breath but not necessarily visibly drunk. Both are illegal in Japan, but 酒気帯び運転 carries a lesser penalty.
飲酒運転は重大な犯罪です。
Drunk driving is a serious crime.
彼は飲酒運転で免許を失った。
He lost his license due to drunk driving.