jiǔyǐn: 酒瘾 - Alcoholism, Alcohol Addiction

• Keywords: jiuyin, 酒瘾, alcoholism in China, Chinese word for addiction, drinking problem in Chinese, jiu yin, 酒 (jiǔ), 瘾 (yǐn), addiction in Chinese, how to say alcoholic, Chinese drinking culture, 戒酒 (jièjiǔ), 酗酒 (xùjiǔ).
• Summary: Learn the Chinese term for alcoholism, 酒瘾 (jiǔyǐn). This entry explores the meaning of this powerful word, formed from 酒 (jiǔ), “alcohol,” and 瘾 (yǐn), “addiction.” We'll break down its characters, cultural significance in China's complex drinking culture, and provide practical examples to help you understand the difference between social drinking and a serious drinking problem. Discover how concepts like “face” and business obligations shape the perception of alcohol addiction in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiǔyǐn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (Advanced)
• Concise Definition: A physical or psychological dependence on alcohol; alcoholism.
• In a Nutshell: 酒瘾 (jiǔyǐn) is the direct and clinical Chinese term for alcohol addiction. It's not just about “liking to drink” or “drinking a lot” at social events. It describes a state of dependency where a person has lost control over their alcohol consumption, and it is viewed as a serious medical or psychological condition.

• 酒 (jiǔ): This character originally depicted a jar used for fermenting grains. The three dots on the left (氵) are the “water” radical, indicating a liquid. Today, it simply means “alcohol,” “liquor,” or “wine.”
• 瘾 (yǐn): This is the character for “addiction” or “craving.” It's composed of the “sickness” radical `疒` and `隐 (yǐn)`, which means “hidden.” Together, they create the powerful image of an addiction as a “hidden sickness”—a deep-seated compulsion that isn't always visible on the surface.
• When combined, 酒 (alcohol) + 瘾 (hidden sickness/addiction) literally means “alcohol addiction,” or alcoholism.

In Chinese culture, alcohol holds a deeply dualistic role. On one hand, it is an indispensable social lubricant. Business deals are often sealed over glasses of `白酒 (báijiǔ)`, relationships (`关系 guānxi`) are built through shared toasts, and celebrations are incomplete without it. The pressure to drink, especially in a professional context known as `应酬 (yìngchou)`, is immense. Refusing a toast from a superior or a client can cause a significant loss of `面子 (miànzi)`, or “face.” This is where 酒瘾 (jiǔyǐn) becomes a complicated issue. While heavy drinking is often normalized or even encouraged for social and business purposes, admitting to an addiction is highly stigmatized. The Western concept of alcoholism is increasingly understood as a disease. While the medical community in China shares this view, society at large may still perceive 酒瘾 (jiǔyǐn) as a moral failing or a lack of self-control. Admitting to it can bring shame not just to the individual but to their entire family, making it a “hidden sickness” in a very literal, social sense. Therefore, many people with drinking problems avoid the label of 酒瘾 and the topic is often addressed with indirect language.

酒瘾 (jiǔyǐn) is a serious and often clinical term. It is used in medical contexts, serious family discussions, or in media reports about public health.

• Formality: It is a formal/neutral term, but its subject matter is inherently negative and serious.
• Connotation: Strongly negative. It implies a loss of control and a significant life problem.
• Usage: You would not use this term lightly. To describe someone who simply drinks a lot, you might say `他很能喝 (tā hěn néng hē)` (He can really hold his liquor) or `他爱喝酒 (tā ài hē jiǔ)` (He loves to drink). To say someone has 酒瘾 (jiǔyǐn) is to make a serious diagnosis of their condition.

• Example 1:
  • 医生说，他必须马上戒酒，因为他的酒瘾已经严重影响了他的健康。
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō, tā bìxū mǎshàng jièjiǔ, yīnwèi tā de jiǔyǐn yǐjīng yánzhòng yǐngxiǎngle tā de jiànkāng.
  • English: The doctor said he must quit drinking immediately because his alcoholism is already a serious threat to his health.
  • Analysis: This shows the term used in a formal, medical context. It's a diagnosis, not a casual observation.
• Example 2:
  • 我很担心我父亲，我觉得他可能有酒瘾。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ hěn dānxīn wǒ fùqīn, wǒ juéde tā kěnéng yǒu jiǔyǐn.
  • English: I'm very worried about my father; I think he might have an alcohol addiction.
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses personal concern. The speaker is not making a joke but voicing a serious fear.
• Example 3:
  • 承认自己有酒瘾是治疗的第一步。
  • Pinyin: Chéngrèn zìjǐ yǒu jiǔyǐn shì zhìliáo de dì yī bù.
  • English: Admitting you have an alcohol addiction is the first step to recovery.
  • Analysis: This is a common phrase used in contexts of therapy and self-help, highlighting the seriousness of the term.
• Example 4:
  • 他因为酒瘾丢了工作，现在非常后悔。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi jiǔyǐn diūle gōngzuò, xiànzài fēicháng hòuhuǐ.
  • English: He lost his job because of his alcoholism and now deeply regrets it.
  • Analysis: This sentence clearly links 酒瘾 to severe negative consequences.
• Example 5:
  • 每天都想喝酒，这是不是酒瘾的症状？
  • Pinyin: Měitiān dōu xiǎng hējiǔ, zhè shì bùshì jiǔyǐn de zhèngzhuàng?
  • English: Wanting to drink every day, is this a symptom of alcoholism?
  • Analysis: A question showing someone trying to understand and define the condition for themselves or others.
• Example 6:
  • 区分爱喝酒和有酒瘾非常重要。
  • Pinyin: Qūfēn ài hējiǔ hé yǒu jiǔyǐn fēicháng zhòngyào.
  • English: It is very important to distinguish between loving to drink and having an alcohol addiction.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly addresses a common point of confusion, which is a key learning point for students.
• Example 7:
  • 这部电影讲述了一个男人战胜酒瘾的故事。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng jiǎngshùle yīgè nánrén zhànshèng jiǔyǐn de gùshì.
  • English: This movie tells the story of a man overcoming alcoholism.
  • Analysis: Here, 酒瘾 is used as the central theme or conflict in a narrative.
• Example 8:
  • 长期酗酒很容易发展成酒瘾。
  • Pinyin: Chángqī xùjiǔ hěn róngyì fāzhǎn chéng jiǔyǐn.
  • English: Long-term alcohol abuse can easily develop into alcohol addiction.
  • Analysis: This shows the relationship between a behavior (`酗酒 xùjiǔ`, alcohol abuse) and the resulting condition (`酒瘾 jiǔyǐn`).
• Example 9:
  • 他试图靠自己的意志力来戒掉酒瘾，但是失败了。
  • Pinyin: Tā shìtú kào zìjǐ de yìzhìlì lái jièdiào jiǔyǐn, dànshì shībàile.
  • English: He tried to quit his alcohol addiction through his own willpower, but he failed.
  • Analysis: This example highlights the “addiction” aspect of the term—it's a compulsion that is difficult to overcome alone.
• Example 10:
  • 社会应该对有酒瘾的人多一些理解，少一些歧视。
  • Pinyin: Shèhuì yīnggāi duì yǒu jiǔyǐn de rén duō yīxiē lǐjiě, shǎo yīxiē qíshì.
  • English: Society should have more understanding and less discrimination towards people with alcoholism.
  • Analysis: A sentence reflecting a modern, progressive viewpoint on the social aspects of addiction.

• Mistake 1: Confusing “Heavy Drinker” with “Alcoholic”.
  • A common error is to use 酒瘾 (jiǔyǐn) to describe someone who just drinks a lot socially (`爱喝酒 ài hējiǔ`) or has a high tolerance (`酒量大 jiǔliàng dà`). 酒瘾 specifically implies a dependency and loss of control, not just a high frequency or quantity of consumption.
  • Incorrect: `我朋友昨天喝多了，他真有酒瘾。` (My friend drank too much yesterday, he's really an alcoholic.)
  • Correct: `我朋友每天都必须喝酒，不然就难受，我担心他有酒瘾。` (My friend has to drink every day, otherwise he feels unwell. I'm worried he has an alcohol addiction.)
• Mistake 2: Using it Casually or as a Joke.
  • In English, you might jokingly call a friend an “alcoholic” if they are very excited about happy hour. This does not translate well. Calling someone in Chinese as having 酒瘾 is a serious accusation and would likely be offensive if not used in a very serious context among close relations.

• 上瘾 (shàngyǐn) - To become addicted; the general term for addiction. 酒瘾 is addiction specifically to alcohol.
• 戒酒 (jiè jiǔ) - To quit drinking alcohol. The direct action one takes to combat 酒瘾.
• 酒鬼 (jiǔguǐ) - Literally “alcohol ghost.” A derogatory, informal slang term for a drunkard or alcoholic. It's much more insulting than 酒瘾.
• 酗酒 (xùjiǔ) - A formal/medical term for alcohol abuse or excessive drinking. This describes the behavior that often leads to 酒瘾.
• 应酬 (yìngchou) - Social obligations, often for business, that almost always involve drinking. A major part of Chinese business culture.
• 酒量 (jiǔliàng) - Alcohol tolerance or drinking capacity.
• 喝酒 (hē jiǔ) - The verb “to drink alcohol.”
• 白酒 (báijiǔ) - A very strong Chinese liquor, often the centerpiece of business dinners and banquets.
• 干杯 (gānbēi) - “Cheers!” or literally “dry the cup.” A fundamental part of Chinese drinking etiquette.
• 瘾 (yǐn) - The standalone character for addiction. It can be combined with other words, like `烟瘾 (yānyǐn)` for nicotine addiction or `网瘾 (wǎngyǐn)` for internet addiction.