emborracharse
/emboraˈt͡ʃaɾse/
The English phrase 'tie one on' can be translated into Spanish as emborracharse.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You can use beber de más as a more polite or euphemistic way to describe the act of getting drunk compared to emborracharse. Alternatively, you can say ponerse pedo, which is a common slang alternative to emborracharse used in many Spanish-speaking countries to mean 'to get drunk'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb emborracharse is a reflexive verb, meaning the action of getting drunk is performed by the subject upon themselves.
How do you pronounce it?
/emboraˈtʃaɾse/
Did you know?
- In Mexico, instead of using a verb, people often use the noun pedos to say they are drunk, as seen in the slang phrase estar pedo.
- The phrase beber como un cosaco is a traditional way to describe someone who ties one on frequently. It refers to the stereotype of the 'Cossacks' from Eastern Europe as heavy drinkers.
- In many Latin American countries, you can say you are entonado, which literally means 'to be in tune', as if you are intoxicated by the rhythm of the alcohol.
Examples in context
- Los amigos se emborracharon en la fiesta de cumpleaños y pasaron la noche riendo y bailando.The friends got drunk at the birthday party and spent the night laughing and dancing.
- Después del examen final, decidimos ponernos hasta arriba de alcohol para celebrar el fin del semestre.After the final exam, we decided to get heavily fueled up with alcohol to celebrate the end of the semester.
- Él se fue a emborracharse con sus amigos.He went out to tie one on with his friends.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are deciding what to do on Friday night.
- DanielVamos a emborracharse este viernes.Let's tie one on this Friday.
- MaríaNo me gusta emborracharse tanto.I don't like to tie one on that much.
- DanielSolo será una noche especial, María.It will only be for one special night, María.
- MaríaEstá bien, pero solo un poco.Alright, but only a little.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry emborracharse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
