Inklingo

How to Say "drunkard" in Spanish

English → Spanish

borracho

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

nounB1informal
Use 'borracho' for the most common, everyday way to refer to a drunk person, suitable for informal and general contexts.
An illustration of a solitary, disheveled man sitting slumped on a park bench looking downtrodden.

Examples

El borracho se durmió en la acera.

The drunkard fell asleep on the sidewalk.

Su tío siempre ha sido un borracho; no puede dejar la botella.

His uncle has always been a drunk; he can't put the bottle down.

The Noun Form

When used as a noun, 'borracho' (or 'borracha' for a woman) refers to the actual person, not just their state. It usually requires a definite article (like 'el' or 'la').

ebrio

EH-bree-oh/ˈeβɾjo/

nounB2formal
Choose 'ebrio' when you want to sound more formal or literary, as it's a less common and more elevated term for a drunk person.
A storybook illustration showing a solitary, disheveled figure slumped asleep on a simple wooden park bench in the evening. An empty bottle rests on the ground nearby.

Examples

El ebrio se durmió en la banca del parque.

The drunkard fell asleep on the park bench.

Los ebrios fueron llevados a casa por sus amigos.

The intoxicated people were taken home by their friends.

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'.

Choosing Between 'Borracho' and 'Ebrio'

Learners often use 'ebrio' when 'borracho' would be more natural and appropriate. Unless you are aiming for a formal or literary tone, 'borracho' is almost always the better choice for referring to someone who is drunk.

Related Translations

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