====== jiǔjià: 酒驾 - Drunk Driving, DUI ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** jiǔjià, 酒驾, drunk driving in China, DUI in China, driving under the influence, Chinese law drunk driving, alcohol driving, what is jiu jia, Chinese traffic laws
  * **Summary:** **酒驾 (jiǔjià)** is the Chinese term for "drunk driving" or Driving Under the Influence (DUI). A combination of the characters for "alcohol" (酒) and "to drive" (驾), this term refers to the serious crime of operating a vehicle after consuming alcohol. In modern China, **jiǔjià** is met with extremely strict laws, severe penalties, and significant social stigma, making it a critical vocabulary word for anyone living, working, or driving in the country.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jiǔjià (jiǔ jià)
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun / Verb
  * **HSK Level:** N/A (Equivalent to HSK 5/6 vocabulary, essential for daily life)
  * **Concise Definition:** The act of driving a vehicle after consuming alcohol; drunk driving.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **酒驾 (jiǔjià)** is a straightforward and serious term. It's not a slang word; it's the official and common term used by police, in news reports, and in everyday conversation to describe the illegal act of driving with alcohol in your system. It carries a heavy, negative connotation of irresponsibility and criminality.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **酒 (jiǔ):** This character means "alcohol," "wine," or "liquor." The pictograph originally depicted a jar (酉) for fermenting alcohol, with the three dots on the left (氵) being the "water" radical, signifying a liquid.
  * **驾 (jià):** This character means "to drive" or "to pilot." It's composed of **加 (jiā)**, meaning "add," and **马 (mǎ)**, meaning "horse." It evokes the ancient image of harnessing and driving a horse-drawn chariot.
  
Together, **酒驾 (jiǔjià)** literally translates to "alcohol-driving," a clear and logical combination that is instantly understood by native speakers.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In the past, driving after a few drinks was sometimes tolerated in China, particularly in the context of business dinners where drinking is a major part of building relationships. However, starting around 2011, the Chinese government launched a massive, zero-tolerance crackdown that completely changed the cultural landscape.
Today, **酒驾 (jiǔjià)** is a major social taboo and a serious crime with severe consequences, including hefty fines, mandatory license suspension, and potential jail time, even for a first offense. This is a key cultural difference from some Western countries where a first-time DUI might be treated with more leniency.
This strict enforcement has led to the rise of a massive industry: **代驾 (dàijià)**, or "designated driver services." After a night of drinking, it is now standard practice for people to use a mobile app (similar to Uber) to hire a sober driver who will arrive, often on a foldable e-bike, and drive you home in your own car. This cultural phenomenon is a direct result of the strict laws against **酒驾**. The underlying value is a state-enforced emphasis on public safety and social order, where an individual's desire to drink must not endanger the collective.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**酒驾 (jiǔjià)** is used frequently in formal and informal contexts, but its connotation is always negative and serious.
  * **In Conversation:** Friends will warn each other, "喝了酒别开车，小心酒驾" (Hēle jiǔ bié kāichē, xiǎoxīn jiǔjià) - "Don't drive after drinking, be careful of drunk driving."
  * **In the News:** Media reports constantly cover **酒驾** crackdowns, accidents, and court cases to serve as a public deterrent.
  * **As a Verb:** The term can be used directly as a verb. For example, "他昨晚酒驾了" (Tā zuówǎn jiǔjià le) - "He drunk drove last night."
  * **As a Noun:** It is also used as a noun. For example, "酒驾的后果很严重" (Jiǔjià de hòuguǒ hěn yánzhòng) - "The consequences of drunk driving are very serious."
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 中国法律严禁**酒驾**。
    * Pinyin: Zhōngguó fǎlǜ yánjìn **jiǔjià**.
    * English: Chinese law strictly prohibits drunk driving.
    * Analysis: A simple, formal statement of fact. **严禁 (yánjìn)** means "strictly prohibit."
  * **Example 2:**
    * 他因为**酒驾**被警察抓走了。
    * Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi **jiǔjià** bèi jǐngchá zhuā zǒu le.
    * English: He was taken away by the police for drunk driving.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses the passive structure **被 (bèi)** to show that something was done to the subject.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 朋友们，记住：开车不喝酒，喝酒不开车。千万不要**酒驾**！
    * Pinyin: Péngyǒumen, jìzhù: kāichē bù hējiǔ, hējiǔ bù kāichē. Qiānwàn búyào **jiǔjià**!
    * English: Friends, remember: if you drive, don't drink; if you drink, don't drive. Absolutely do not drunk drive!
    * Analysis: This is a very common public service announcement slogan. **千万 (qiānwàn)** means "by all means" or "absolutely" and is used for strong emphasis in warnings.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 这次交通事故是由**酒驾**引起的。
    * Pinyin: Zhè cì jiāotōng shìgù shì yóu **jiǔjià** yǐnqǐ de.
    * English: This traffic accident was caused by drunk driving.
    * Analysis: The structure **由...引起 (yóu...yǐnqǐ)** is a common way to state the cause of something.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 如果你**酒驾**，你的驾照会被吊销。
    * Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ **jiǔjià**, nǐ de jiàzhào huì bèi diàoxiāo.
    * English: If you drink and drive, your driver's license will be revoked.
    * Analysis: A clear conditional sentence explaining a direct consequence. **吊销 (diàoxiāo)** means "to revoke."
  * **Example 6:**
    * 我今天开车来的，所以一口酒都不能喝，我可不想**酒驾**。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān kāichē lái de, suǒyǐ yī kǒu jiǔ dōu bùnéng hē, wǒ kě bùxiǎng **jiǔjià**.
    * English: I drove here today, so I can't drink a single drop of alcohol. I really don't want to get a DUI.
    * Analysis: A practical sentence used in a social setting to refuse a drink. **一口...都 (yī kǒu...dōu)** emphasizes "not even one sip."
  * **Example 7:**
    * 别担心，我喝了酒。我已经叫了代驾，绝对不会**酒驾**。
    * Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, wǒ hēle jiǔ. Wǒ yǐjīng jiàole dàijià, juéduì bú huì **jiǔjià**.
    * English: Don't worry, I've been drinking. I've already called for a designated driver service; I absolutely will not drunk drive.
    * Analysis: This shows the responsible, modern alternative to **酒驾**. **代驾 (dàijià)** is the key term here.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 警方在节假日期间会加强对**酒驾**的检查。
    * Pinyin: Jǐngfāng zài jiéjiàrì qījiān huì jiāqiáng duì **jiǔjià** de jiǎnchá.
    * English: The police will step up checks for drunk driving during the holiday period.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses vocabulary often seen in news reports. **加强 (jiāqiáng)** means "to strengthen" or "to step up."
  * **Example 9:**
    * 他对**酒驾**的危险性认识不足。
    * Pinyin: Tā duì **jiǔjià** de wēixiǎn xìng rènshi bùzú.
    * English: He has an insufficient understanding of the dangers of drunk driving.
    * Analysis: A more formal way to describe someone's lack of awareness. **认识不足 (rènshi bùzú)** means "insufficient understanding/awareness."
  * **Example 10:**
    * 任何形式的**酒驾**都是对自己和他人生命的不负责。
    * Pinyin: Rènhé xíngshì de **jiǔjià** dōu shì duì zìjǐ hé tārén shēngmìng de bù fùzé.
    * English: Any form of drunk driving is irresponsible towards your own life and the lives of others.
    * Analysis: This sentence expresses the moral and ethical reasoning behind the strict laws. **不负责 (bù fùzé)** means "irresponsible."
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **`喝酒 (hējiǔ)` vs. `酒驾 (jiǔjià)`:** This is the most critical distinction for a beginner. **喝酒 (hējiǔ)** simply means "to drink alcohol" and is a very common social activity. **酒驾 (jiǔjià)** is the crime of driving after drinking. You can **hējiǔ**, but you must not **jiǔjià**.
    * //Correct:// 我们去**喝酒**吧！喝完叫个代驾。(Wǒmen qù **hējiǔ** ba! Hē wán jiào ge dàijià.) - Let's go drinking! We can call a designated driver afterward.
    * //Incorrect:// 我们去**酒驾**吧！ (Wǒmen qù **jiǔjià** ba!) - //This means "Let's go drunk driving!" and is dangerously wrong.//
  * **Underestimating Severity:** A common mistake for foreigners is to apply their home country's standards to China. In China, the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit is extremely low (0.02%), and the penalties are not negotiable. There is no concept of "I only had one beer, I'll be fine." Any amount of alcohol detected can lead to a **酒驾** charge.
  * **`酒驾 (jiǔjià)` vs. `醉驾 (zuìjià)`:** While both are illegal, there is a legal distinction. **酒驾 (jiǔjià)** refers to driving with a BAC between 0.02% and 0.08%. **醉驾 (zuìjià)**, "drunk/intoxicated driving," refers to driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. **醉驾** is a much more serious criminal offense, leading to mandatory jail time. For learners, knowing **酒驾** is sufficient, but understanding that there is an even more severe category is useful context.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[醉驾]] (zuìjià) - Drunk/intoxicated driving. A more serious criminal offense than **酒驾** with a higher blood alcohol level.
  * [[代驾]] (dàijià) - Designated driver service for hire. A very popular and essential service in modern China.
  * [[喝酒]] (hējiǔ) - To drink alcohol. The social activity that, if followed by driving, leads to **酒驾**.
  * [[开车]] (kāichē) - To drive a car.
  * [[警察]] (jǐngchá) - Police. The authority that enforces laws against **酒驾**.
  * [[吊销驾照]] (diàoxiāo jiàzhào) - To have one's driver's license revoked. A common penalty for **酒驾**.
  * [[罚款]] (fákuǎn) - A fine/penalty (monetary). Another common punishment.
  * [[危险驾驶罪]] (wēixiǎn jiàshǐ zuì) - The crime of dangerous driving. **醉驾** is prosecuted under this law.
  * [[交通法规]] (jiāotōng fǎguī) - Traffic laws/regulations.
  * [[司机]] (sījī) - Driver.