1.
being under the influence of alcohol (legal/traffic term); having a detectable level of alcohol
The state of having a measurable amount of alcohol in one's body, used as a legal and traffic term in Japan. Distinct from full intoxication — it refers to any detectable alcohol level above the legal threshold.
酒気帯び運転は法律で禁止されている。
Driving under the influence of alcohol is prohibited by law.
酒気帯びの状態で自転車に乗るのも違反だ。
Riding a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol is also a violation.
検問で酒気帯びが発覚し、免許停止になった。
Alcohol was detected at a checkpoint, and his license was suspended.
Composed of 酒気 (the smell/presence of alcohol) and 帯び (wearing, having on one's person). A legal and traffic-related term describing the state of having a detectable amount of alcohol in one's body. In Japanese traffic law, this is distinguished from 酔っ払い運転 (drunk driving), which implies a higher level of intoxication.
USAGE:
Almost always appears in compound form:
- 酒気帯び運転: driving under the influence (DUI)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 酒気帯び運転: driving under the influence
- 酒気帯びの状態: state of having alcohol in one's system
- 酒気帯び検査: alcohol breath test
LEGAL NOTE:
Japanese law distinguishes between 酒気帯び運転 (driving with alcohol detected, BAC 0.15mg/L or more) and 酒酔い運転 (driving while intoxicated, based on impaired ability). The penalties for 酒酔い運転 are more severe.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 飲酒運転: drunk driving — a general term covering any alcohol-impaired driving
- 酒酔い運転: driving while intoxicated — more severe legal category
- 酔っ払い: drunkard, drunk person — colloquial, not a legal term