Inklingo

How to Say "drunk" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “drunk” is “borracho” — use 'borracho' for a general, widely understood term for being intoxicated by alcohol, suitable for most everyday situations..

borracho🔊A2

Use 'borracho' for a general, widely understood term for being intoxicated by alcohol, suitable for most everyday situations.

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bebido🔊B1

Use 'bebido' when describing someone as having consumed alcohol and being intoxicated, often sounding slightly more formal or descriptive than 'borracho'.

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tomado🔊B2

Use 'tomado' as a common, slightly informal synonym for 'borracho' to indicate someone is intoxicated, often implying they've had a bit too much to drink.

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ebrio🔊B1

Choose 'ebrio' for a more formal or literary term for intoxication, often used in official reports or more serious contexts.

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bolos🔊C1

Use 'bolos' in very informal, colloquial settings, particularly in certain Latin American countries, to describe being very drunk or high.

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English → Spanish

borracho

boh-RRAH-cho (The 'rr' is rolled, and 'ch' sounds like the 'ch' in 'church')/boˈra.tʃo/

adjectiveA2
Use 'borracho' for a general, widely understood term for being intoxicated by alcohol, suitable for most everyday situations.
A cartoon illustration of a dizzy man stumbling and swaying heavily while walking on a road.

Examples

Después de tres cervezas, él estaba completamente borracho.

After three beers, he was completely drunk.

La viuda se puso borracha en la boda de su hija.

The widow got drunk at her daughter's wedding. (Note: using the feminine form 'borracha')

Los chicos borrachos hicieron mucho ruido en la calle.

The drunk boys made a lot of noise in the street. (Note: using the plural form 'borrachos')

Gender and Number Agreement

Since 'borracho' is an adjective, it must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes. If you describe a woman, use 'borracha'; if you describe a group, use 'borrachos' (masculine/mixed) or 'borrachas' (feminine).

bebido

beh-BEE-doh/beˈβi.ðo/

adjectiveB1
Use 'bebido' when describing someone as having consumed alcohol and being intoxicated, often sounding slightly more formal or descriptive than 'borracho'.
A cartoon character, a small bear, holding an empty glass of clear liquid, indicating the action of having consumed the liquid.

Examples

El hombre estaba claramente bebido y no podía conducir.

The man was clearly drunk and couldn't drive.

He bebido un vaso de agua antes de salir.

I have drunk a glass of water before leaving.

Ellos habían bebido todo el jugo de naranja.

They had drunk all the orange juice.

Llegó un poco bebida a la cena, pero nadie lo notó.

She arrived a little tipsy at dinner, but no one noticed.

Forming Completed Actions

This word is the 'action done' form of 'beber' and must be combined with a form of the verb 'haber' (to have) to describe actions that have finished.

It Must Match!

When 'bebido' is used as an adjective (meaning 'drunk'), it must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes: bebido (m. sing.), bebida (f. sing.), bebidos (m. plural), bebidas (f. plural).

Using 'Estar' Instead of 'Haber'

Mistake: “Yo estoy bebido el agua.”

Correction: Yo he bebido el agua. (Remember to use 'haber' for forming completed actions, not 'estar'.)

tomado

toh-MAH-doh/toˈmaðo/

adjectiveB2informal
Use 'tomado' as a common, slightly informal synonym for 'borracho' to indicate someone is intoxicated, often implying they've had a bit too much to drink.
A person with a dizzy expression, leaning heavily against a lamppost, visually representing intoxication.

Examples

Creo que ya está un poco tomado, no debería conducir.

I think he is a bit drunk now; he shouldn't drive.

Todos terminaron la fiesta un poco tomados.

Everyone finished the party a little tipsy.

The Slang Connection

This informal meaning is an extension of the primary meaning 'consumed' or 'drunk' (referring to alcohol). Use this adjective with 'estar' to describe someone's current state.

ebrio

EH-bree-oh/ˈeβɾjo/

adjectiveB1formal
Choose 'ebrio' for a more formal or literary term for intoxication, often used in official reports or more serious contexts.
A storybook illustration of a cheerful man stumbling awkwardly, his hat tilted, while attempting to walk down a path, showing signs of intoxication.

Examples

El conductor fue detenido porque estaba ebrio.

The driver was detained because he was drunk.

Después de la celebración, la gente se sentía ebria de alegría.

After the celebration, people felt intoxicated with joy (figurative).

Ella no estaba ebria, solo un poco mareada.

She wasn't drunk, just a little dizzy.

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.

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.

bolos

/BOH-lohs//ˈbolos/

adjectiveC1colloquial
Use 'bolos' in very informal, colloquial settings, particularly in certain Latin American countries, to describe being very drunk or high.
A person sitting on a stool looking dizzy with colorful swirls around their head.

Examples

Ellos se pusieron muy bolos en la fiesta.

They got very drunk at the party.

General vs. Formal Drunkenness

The most common mistake is using highly informal or regional terms like 'bolos' in formal situations. Stick to 'borracho' or 'bebido' for general use, and reserve 'ebrio' for more formal contexts. 'Tomado' is a good informal alternative to 'borracho'.

Related Translations

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