Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ebrio | /ˈebɾjo/ | |
| alcoholizado | /alkooliˈθado/ /alkooliˈsado/ |
formal |
| embriagado | /embɾjaˈɡado/ | |
| bebido | /beˈbido/ | Spain, informal |
| borracho | /boˈrat͡ʃo/ | Spain, colloquial |
| mamado | /maˈmado/ | Mexico, colloquial |
| escabio | /esˈkabjo/ | Latin America, colloquial |
All these terms are used to describe the state of being stupefied by alcohol. While most describe physical intoxication, embriagado can also be used metaphorically to describe being intoxicated by non-physical things like power or passion.
Which one should you use?
While ebrio is a neutral term for being intoxicated, borracho is the much more common, everyday way to say someone is drunk. Alcoholizado and embriagado are more formal options.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal, medical or legal contexts, use alcoholizado. The phrase estar ebrio/a is also a formal way to describe someone who is intoxicated. For everyday, common speech, use the colloquial borracho. In Spain, the informal term bebido is also used. Use mamado in Mexico and escabio in Latin America for colloquial expressions.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, bebido is an informal term and borracho is colloquial. In Mexico, mamado is a colloquial term. In parts of Latin America, escabio is a colloquial term. Additionally, the phrase estar en peda is used in some Latin American countries, especially Mexico, to refer to being intoxicated.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, ebrio changes its ending to ebria to agree with a feminine subject. The word borracho must also agree in number with the subject, becoming borrachos for a masculine plural group.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈebɾjo/
Did you know?
- While mamado means intoxicated in Mexico, in gym culture it is the standard slang for someone who is 'jacked' or very muscular.
- In Argentina and Uruguay, escabio is not just an adjective for being intoxicated, but also a common noun used to refer to the alcohol itself.
- The word borracho is used in some Spanish-speaking cultures as a playful or affectionate nickname among close friends, despite its literal meaning.
Examples in context
- No estaba ebrio.I wasn't intoxicated.This sentence uses ebrio to deny being intoxicated.Tatoeba #6731386 by arh, translation #6730954 by CK
- Tom está borracho.Tom is intoxicated.This sentence uses borracho to state that Tom is intoxicated.Tatoeba #1600597 by marcelostockle, translation #1555325 by Spamster
- Aquellos que han sido embriagados de poder, y han de percibir cualquier tipo de emolumentos de éste, aunque sea por sólo un año, nunca podrán abandonarlo por voluntad propia.Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, never can willingly abandon it.This sentence uses embriagado in a metaphorical sense regarding being intoxicated by power.Tatoeba #7091549 by Eremon, translation #714840 by Scott
- Estoy un poco ebrio/a.I am slightly intoxicated.
- Ella está completamente ebria.She is completely intoxicated.
- Estoy borracho/a como una cuba.I am drunk as a barrel.
- Vamos a emborracharnos esta noche.Let's get drunk tonight.
- ¡Está completamente pedo/a!He/She is totally wasted!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are talking about a friend at a party.
- ElenaParece que Juan está ebrio.It looks like Juan is intoxicated.
- MateoSí, apenas puede caminar.Yes, he can barely walk.
- ElenaDebemos ayudarlo a irse a casa.We should help him go home.
- MateoTienes razón, Elena.You are right, Elena.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “intoxicated” translations and entries ebrio, alcoholizado, embriagado, bebido, borracho, mamado, escabio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
