酒精 jiǔjīng ethanol
(colloquial) ethanol; ethyl alcohol
How to remember 酒精: 酒 liquor + 精 essence = ethanol.
Characters
How it is used
- Alcohol (ethanol), the substance - 酒精浓度 (jiǔjīng nóngdù) alcohol concentration, 酒精消毒 (jiǔjīng xiāodú) to disinfect with alcohol.
- Refers to the chemical, in drinks, sanitizer, or breath tests (酒精测试); distinct from 酒 (jiǔ, the drink).
- Everyday word despite being technically 乙醇 (yǐchún).
Example sentences
- 我能闻到他呼吸中的酒精味。 Wǒnéng wéndào tā hūxī zhōng de jiǔjīng wèi.I could smell the alcohol on his breath.