Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| शराबी | śarābī | /ʃə.ɾɑː.biː/ (Hindi, Standard) |
| मतवाला | matvālā | /mət̪.ʋɑː.lɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) |
| मत्त | matt | /mət̪t̪/ (Hindi, Standard) |
| मदहोश | madhoś | |
| मदिर | madir | /mə.d̪ɪɾ/ (Hindi, Standard) |
| शौंड | śauṇḍ | /ʃɔːɳɖ/ (Hindi, Standard) |
These terms are used to describe the state of being intoxicated after consuming too much alcohol.
What does it mean word for word?
The word शराबी is derived from शराब (śarāb), which means 'alcohol' or 'liquor'.
Which one should you use?
While शराबी can mean being 'drunk', it is most commonly used to refer to an 'alcoholic' (a person with a habit of drinking). For the specific state of being intoxicated, you might use मत्त, though this is often used metaphorically to mean 'drunk' with power or pride. In poetic contexts, such as songs, मदहोश is used to describe being intoxicated by love or beauty. To describe a person who is a drunkard in a colloquial way, you can use पियक्कड़ or मतवाला or more specifically शौंड to mean 'one who is drunk'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you need a formal way to say someone is 'in a state of intoxication' or 'under the influence', use the phrase नशे में. For poetic or artistic expressions, use मदहोश. In informal or colloquial speech, पियक्कड़ is often used as a somewhat derogatory term for an excessive drinker.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
śarābī is pronounced /ʃə.ɾɑː.biː/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The term शराब (śarāb) used in शराबी is actually a loanword from Persian, specifically referring to 'wine'.
- The colloquial term पियक्कड़ is often used as a derogatory label for a heavy drinker, whereas मदहोश is seen as an artistic or dreamy state.
Examples in context
- वह किसी पार्टी में नशे में नहीं था।He was not drunk at a party.
- कृपया नशे में गाड़ी न चलाएं।Kindly do not drive under the influence.
Example conversation
Rahul and Neha are at a party.
- राहुल Rahulदेखो, वह आदमी कितना शराबी है।dekho, vah aadmi kitna sharaabi hai.Look, how drunk that man is.
- नेहा Nehaहाँ, वह ठीक से चल भी नहीं पा रहा।haan, vah theek se chal bhi nahi paa raha.Yes, he can't even walk properly.
- राहुल Rahulहमें उससे बात नहीं करनी चाहिए।hamein usse baat nahi karni chahiye.We should not talk to him.
- नेहा Nehaमैं तुम्हारी बात से सहमत हूँ, राहुल।main tumhari baat se sahmat hoon, Rahul.I agree with you, Rahul.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “drunk” translations and entries शराबी, मतवाला, मत्त, मदहोश, मदिर, शौंड, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries मतवाला, मत्त, मदहोश, शराबी, CC BY-SA 4.0.
