1.
to get drunk; to become intoxicated
To become affected by alcohol. Describes the state of being under the influence of alcoholic drinks.
ビールを三杯飲んで酔った。
I got drunk after three beers.
彼は酔うと陽気になる。
He becomes cheerful when he gets drunk.
お酒に酔って、終電を逃してしまった。
I got drunk and missed the last train.
2.
to get motion sick; to feel nauseous from motion
To feel sick from the rocking or movement of a vehicle, boat, or other transport.
車に酔った。
I got carsick.
船に酔いやすい人は薬を飲んでおいたほうがいい。
People who get seasick easily should take medicine beforehand.
長時間のバスで酔って気持ち悪くなった。
I got motion sick and felt nauseous from the long bus ride.
3.
to be intoxicated; to be entranced
To be deeply absorbed or captivated by something beautiful, exciting, or pleasurable. A figurative extension of the intoxication meaning.
美しい音楽に酔った。
I was entranced by the beautiful music.
勝利に酔いしれて油断してはいけない。
You must not let your guard down by getting intoxicated with victory.
自分の言葉に酔っている人は信用できない。
You can't trust people who are intoxicated by their own words.
Godan verb. Conjugates as 酔う・酔って・酔った. The particle に marks the cause of intoxication or motion sickness.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- お酒に酔う (to get drunk on alcohol)
- 車に酔う (to get carsick)
- 船に酔う (to get seasick)
- ～に酔いしれる (to be intoxicated/entranced by ~)
- 酔いが回る (the alcohol goes to one's head)
- 酔いが覚める (to sober up)
The te-form 酔って is often used as an adjective meaning "drunk." The related noun 酔い means "drunkenness" or "intoxication." For motion sickness, ～酔い forms compounds: 車酔い (carsickness), 船酔い (seasickness).