saoul
neutral
In Quebec you can say saoul for drunk, and paqueté is a casual Quebec slang word with the same meaning. The formal word is ivre.
Meaning: intoxicated by alcohol (adjective)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| saoul | neutral |
| ivre | formal |
| paqueté | slang, Quebec |
Saoul is understood in all French-speaking places and is also written soûl. Paqueté is for friends and informal chat, not for a polite conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
These are adjectives, so they agree with the person: saoule and paquetée for a woman, saouls and paquetés for several men.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use paqueté in a formal setting such as a workplace report. Ivre fits written and official language.
Did you know?
- Saoul is also spelled soûl, and both spellings are accepted.
Examples in context
- Il est complètement saoul.He is completely drunk.
- Elle était paquetée après la fête.She was drunk after the party.
- Le conducteur était ivre.The driver was drunk.
Example conversation
Karim tells his friend Simon about the party the night before in Montreal.
- KarimTu as vu Jérémie hier soir?Did you see Jérémie last night?
- SimonOui, il était pas mal paqueté.Yes, he was pretty drunk.
- KarimHeureusement, il est rentré en taxi.Luckily, he went home by taxi.
