醉 zuì drunk
drunk; intoxicated
How to remember 醉: 酉 whisky bottle + 卒 foot soldier = drunk. Holding an empty whisky bottle, the foot soldier from the parade sings loudly on the tram, clearly drunk.
Component breakdown
醉 = 酉 whisky bottle + 卒 foot soldier
- 酉 whisky bottle
- 卒 foot soldier
Holding an empty whisky bottle, the foot soldier from the parade sings loudly on the tram, clearly drunk.
How it is used
- Functions as a resultative complement after 喝 "drink": 他喝醉了 (tā hē zuì le) - "he got drunk," literally drink-to-the-point-of-drunk.
- 陶醉 táozuì extends the idea figuratively - intoxicated or enraptured by music, scenery, or success, no alcohol involved.
- 麻醉 mázuì is strictly medical, "anesthesia/to anesthetize."