ebrio
/EH-bree-oh/
drunk
Ebrio (drunk): Describing someone intoxicated by alcohol.
ebrio(Adjective)
drunk
?intoxicated by alcohol
,intoxicated
?formal equivalent
tipsy
?lightly drunk (less common, usually requires context)
📝 In Action
El conductor fue detenido porque estaba ebrio.
B1The driver was detained because he was drunk.
Después de la celebración, la gente se sentía ebria de alegría.
B2After the celebration, people felt intoxicated with joy (figurative).
Ella no estaba ebria, solo un poco mareada.
B1She wasn't drunk, just a little dizzy.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Like all Spanish descriptive words, 'ebrio' must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'ebria' for a female, 'ebrios' for multiple males or mixed groups, and 'ebrias' for multiple females.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'ebrio' and 'borracho'
Mistake: "Using 'ebrio' when speaking casually with friends."
Correction: While correct, 'borracho' is much more common in casual conversation. Use 'ebrio' for news reports or official documents, where the tone is more serious.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
'Ebrio' can be used figuratively to mean 'overwhelmed' or 'intoxicated' by a strong emotion, like 'ebrio de poder' (drunk with power).
Ebrio (drunkard): Referring to a person who is drunk.
📝 In Action
El ebrio se durmió en la banca del parque.
B2The drunkard fell asleep on the park bench.
Los ebrios fueron llevados a casa por sus amigos.
B2The intoxicated people were taken home by their friends.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Acting as a Noun
In Spanish, it's common to use adjectives like 'ebrio' (drunk) directly as nouns simply by adding the article ('el ebrio,' 'la ebria') to mean 'the drunk person'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ebrio
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses the most formal word to describe a person who drank too much?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'ebrio' and 'borracho'?
'Ebrio' and 'borracho' both mean 'drunk.' 'Ebrio' is generally considered more formal, serious, or literary, often used in written reports. 'Borracho' is the standard, everyday word used in casual conversation.
Can 'ebrio' be used for things other than alcohol?
Yes, 'ebrio' can be used figuratively to describe someone who is overwhelmed or 'intoxicated' by a powerful emotion, like love, joy, or power.