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道Nihongo Path
酔

酔·drunk

On-yomi
スイ
Kun-yomi
よ(う)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

11 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
酔うようto get drunk; to get motion sick
酔っ払いよっぱらいa drunk
泥酔でいすいbeing dead drunk
陶酔とうすいrapture, intoxication

Example sentences

  1. 少し酔ったので水を飲んだ。

    すこしよったのでみずをのんだ。

    I got a bit tipsy, so I drank some water.

  2. 彼は自分の演奏に陶酔していた。

    かれはじぶんのえんそうにとうすいしていた。

    He was lost in rapture over his own playing.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 乗り物酔い (のりものよい) is motion sickness — 酔 is not only about alcohol.
  • Reading 泥酔 as どろよい — it is でいすい.

Memory aid

Picture it

The sake jar 酉 beside 卒 (to finish) — finishing off the bottle.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 酔 mean?