Which one should you use?
While homme ivre is a standard descriptive phrase, other options change the nuance of the intoxication or the tone of the description. Un homme éméché describes someone who is only slightly intoxicated (tipsy), whereas Un type torché is slang for someone who is heavily intoxicated. Un homme saoul and Un mec bourré are both informal ways to describe a drunk man. If you want to be more derogatory, you can use the noun un ivrogne, which translates to 'a drunkard'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality varies significantly between forms. Homme en état d'ébriété (man in a state of drunkenness) is formal and suitable for official or serious situations. Homme ivre is a neutral, descriptive term. For polite or euphemistic situations, use un homme éméché to describe someone who is merely tipsy. In informal settings, you might use un homme saoul or un mec bourré. For heavy intoxication in a slang context, use un type torché.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a drunk woman instead of a man, you change the noun homme to femme, resulting in femme ivre.
Did you know?
- The term bourré literally means 'stuffed' or 'filled', as if the person has been packed full of alcohol.
- The word homme has a surprising connection to the earth, descending from the Proto-Indo-European root *ǵʰmṓ, which means 'earthling'.
- Across various regions of France, the word for 'man' changes significantly, such as 'onme' in Picard or 'oume' in Norman.
Examples in context
- Un homme ivre est tombé des escaliers.A drunk man fell down the stairs.This sentence is useful for illustrating the use of homme ivre.Tatoeba #128774 by Eldad, translation #270972 by CK
- Hier soir, j'ai croisé un mec bourré dans la rue!Last night, I ran into a drunk guy in the street!
- Je ne veux pas parler à cet homme ivre.I do not want to talk to that drunk man.
- L'homme ivre marche dans la rue.The drunk man is walking in the street.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are walking down a street at night.
- LéaAttention, il y a un homme ivre devant nous.Watch out, there is a drunk man in front of us.
- LucasOui, je le vois, il marche bizarrement.Yes, I see him, he is walking strangely.
- LéaPassons par l'autre côté de la rue, Lucas.Let's go around the other side of the street, Lucas.
- LucasBonne idée, restons prudents.Good idea, let's stay cautious.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries homme, ivre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
