알코올 중독자
alkool jungdokja
The English word 'alcoholic' is translated into Korean as 알코올 중독자 (alkool jungdokja).
The term is used to refer to a person who is addicted to alcohol. If you are discussing the medical condition or the state of alcoholism itself, you should use 알코올 중독 instead of the person-focused 알코올 중독자.
Meaning: a person addicted to alcohol (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 알코올 중독자 is composed of 알코올 (alcohol), 중독 (addiction) and the suffix 자 (person).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 알코올 중독자 refers to the person, whereas 알코올 중독 refers to the condition of alcoholism.
How do you pronounce it?
alkool jungdokja
Did you know?
- In older generations, a person who drinks excessively might be called a 술고래, which literally translates to 'alcohol whale'.
- The character 독 (毒) in the word 중독자 literally means 'poison'. This frames addiction as being poisoned by a substance rather than just having a habit.
- While 알코올 중독자 is the precise term for a medical addict, in casual conversation Koreans might use 술꾼 (sul-kkun) to describe a heavy drinker, which carries a much more playful or even admiring tone.
Examples in context
- 저 사람은 인생의 바닥을 쳤어. 아내는 떠났지, 직업도 잃었지, 심지어 알코올 중독자야. 가장 끔찍한 건 뭐냐면 내가 그를 알고 있다는 사실이야–그 인간은 5 년 전 까지만 해도 내 상사였거든.That man has hit bottom: his wife has left him, he's lost his job, and he's an alcoholic. The worst is that I know him–he used to be my boss five years ago.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 알코올 중독자 when describing a person's difficult circumstances.Tatoeba #8375050 by Eunhee, translation #703339 by papabear
- 저는 술중독자입니다.I am an alcoholic.
- 그는 알코올 중독자입니다.He is an alcoholic.
- 그 친구는 정말 주정뱅이야.That friend of mine is a real alcoholic.
- 그 사람은 술꾼이야.That person is an alcoholic.
- 그는 심각한 알코올 중독자예요.geuneun simgakhan allekol jungdokjayo.He is a serious alcoholic.
- 알코올 중독자 치료를 도와야 해요.allekol jungdokja chiryo-reul dowaya haeyo.We must help with treatment for an alcoholic.
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are discussing a friend's health.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨, 그 친구 요즘 너무 심각해 보여요.Hyeon-u ssi, geu chin-gu yo-jeum neo-mu sim-gak-hae bo-yeo-yo.Hyunwoo, that friend looks very serious lately.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맞아요. 그는 이제 알코올 중독자 같아요.ma-ja-yo. geu-neun i-je alkool jung-dok-ja gat-a-yo.Right. I think he is an alcoholic now.
- 수빈 Su-bin어떻게 도와줘야 할까요?eo-tteoh-ge do-wa-jwo-ya hal-ka-yo?How should we help him?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo병원에 같이 가보는 게 좋겠어요.byeong-won-e ga-chi ga-bo-neun ge jo-kess-eo-yo.It would be best to go to the hospital together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alcoholic” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 알코올, 중독자, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
