Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Drunk in Spanish
Borracho · adjective · boh-RRAH-choh
The Spanish word for drunk is 'borracho' (masculine) or 'borracha' (feminine). This is the most common and widely understood term. More formal alternatives include 'ebrio,' and in Mexico, 'tomado' is a softer, less blunt option.
Pronounce it as boh-RRAH-choh, with three syllables, a rolled 'rr,' and the stress on the second syllable.
Llegó borracho a la casa después de la fiesta.
He came home drunk after the party.
drunk in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for drunk, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| borracho | drunk | boh-RRAH-choh | Default, widely understood |
| ebrio | drunk | formal or literary | |
| tomado | drunk | Mexico and Central America |
How Native Speakers Use Borracho
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Warning a friend
No manejes si estás borracho, toma un taxi.
Don't drive if you're drunk, take a taxi.
Advising someone about safety.
Describing someone
Mi tío siempre se pone borracho en las fiestas.
My uncle always gets drunk at parties.
Describing a family member's habit.
Formal report
El conductor fue detenido en estado de ebriedad.
The driver was arrested in a state of intoxication.
A formal or legal description.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Borracho
Wrong register
Incorrect: El sospechoso estaba borracho. (police report)
Correct: El sospechoso estaba ebrio / en estado de ebriedad.
In formal, legal, or medical contexts, 'ebrio' or 'en estado de ebriedad' is more appropriate than the colloquial 'borracho.'
Gender mismatch
Incorrect: Ella estaba borracho.
Correct: Ella estaba borracha.
When describing a woman, use the feminine form 'borracha,' ending in '-a' to agree with the feminine subject.
Lock in drunk Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Borracho used by native speakers
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Common Questions About drunk in Spanish
- What are informal slang words for drunk in Spanish?
- Across the Spanish-speaking world, there are many colorful slang terms like 'pedo' (Mexico), 'curado' (Chile), 'mamado' (Colombia), and 'jincho' (Puerto Rico), each with regional flavor.
- What is the difference between borracho and ebrio?
- Borracho is the everyday, casual word for drunk, while ebrio is formal and used in legal, medical, and literary contexts — similar to the distinction between 'drunk' and 'intoxicated' in English.
- How do you say to get drunk in Spanish?
- The most common expression is 'emborracharse,' a reflexive verb that literally means to get oneself drunk, as in 'se emborrachó anoche' (he got drunk last night).