When we talk about how much alcohol someone can drink, we use the word 酒量 (jiǔliàng). It literally means 'liquor capacity'.
If someone says '他的酒量很好' (Tā de jiǔliàng hěn hǎo), it means 'He has a good capacity for liquor', or 'He can drink a lot'.
Conversely, if someone says '我的酒量不好' (Wǒ de jiǔliàng bù hǎo), it means 'My capacity for liquor is not good', or 'I can't drink much'.
It's a common phrase to describe someone's alcohol tolerance. So next time you're talking about drinks, you know what to say!
When you're talking about how much alcohol someone can drink, the word you want is 酒量 (jiǔliàng). It literally combines 'alcohol' (酒) with 'measure' or 'quantity' (量), so it makes sense as 'capacity for liquor.'
You can use it to describe someone who can drink a lot, like '他的酒量很好' (Tā de jiǔliàng hěn hǎo – He has a high capacity for alcohol), or someone who can't, like '她的酒量很小' (Tā de jiǔliàng hěn xiǎo – She has a low capacity for alcohol).
It's a really common term in social situations in China, especially when people are toasting or discussing drinking habits. So, if you're ever out with Chinese friends and the drinks are flowing, knowing 酒量 will definitely come in handy.
§ Don't confuse it with 'drinking habit' or 'alcohol tolerance'
Many learners, especially at the A2 level, might incorrectly use 酒量 (jiǔliàng) to mean a general 'drinking habit' or 'tolerance for alcohol' in a broader sense. While related, 酒量 (jiǔliàng) specifically refers to the *amount* of alcohol a person can consume before getting drunk. It's about the physical capacity. It doesn't describe how often someone drinks or their resistance to hangovers.
- DEFINITION
- Capacity for liquor. The amount of alcohol one can drink without becoming intoxicated.
§ Using it in situations where 'prefer not to drink' is meant
Another common mistake is to say someone has a small 酒量 (jiǔliàng) when they actually mean the person simply prefers not to drink much, or doesn't enjoy alcohol. Having a small 酒量 (jiǔliàng) implies a physical limitation, not a personal preference. If someone doesn't like to drink, you wouldn't necessarily use 酒量 (jiǔliàng) to describe that.
他酒量很小，喝一点就醉了。(Tā jiǔliàng hěn xiǎo, hē yī diǎn jiù zuì le.)
He has a small [capacity for liquor], he gets drunk after just a little.
Contrast this with:
我不喜欢喝酒。(Wǒ bù xǐhuān hējiǔ.) - I don't like drinking alcohol.
我今天不想喝酒。(Wǒ jīntiān bù xiǎng hējiǔ.) - I don't want to drink alcohol today.
§ Overgeneralizing its use for non-alcoholic beverages
Remember, 酒量 (jiǔliàng) is specifically for *alcohol*. You wouldn't use it to describe someone's capacity for drinking coffee, tea, or water. While you might say someone can drink a lot of coffee, you wouldn't use 酒量 (jiǔliàng) in that context. The '酒' (jiǔ) explicitly means alcohol.
§ Incorrectly modifying it with verbs of action
Because 酒量 (jiǔliàng) is a noun meaning 'capacity,' you don't 'do' it. You describe it as being 'big' (大 - dà) or 'small' (小 - xiǎo). You might hear phrases like '增加酒量' (zēngjiā jiǔliàng - increase drinking capacity) or '减少酒量' (jiǎnshǎo jiǔliàng - decrease drinking capacity), but these describe a change in the capacity itself, not an action performed *on* the capacity in the same way you would 'drink wine' (喝酒 - hē jiǔ).
他的酒量很好，可以喝好几瓶啤酒。(Tā de jiǔliàng hěn hǎo, kěyǐ hē hǎo jǐ píng píjiǔ.)
His [capacity for liquor] is very good, he can drink several bottles of beer.
Here, '很好' (hěn hǎo - very good) describes the *quality* of his drinking capacity, meaning it's large.
§ Using it to describe someone who is currently drunk
酒量 (jiǔliàng) is about the *potential* or *usual state* of a person's drinking capacity. It's not used to describe someone who is currently intoxicated. If someone is drunk, you would use words like '醉了' (zuì le - drunk). Your 酒量 (jiǔliàng) is what determines *if* and *when* you get '醉了' (zuì le).
他喝得太多了，已经醉了，跟酒量没关系了。(Tā hē de tài duō le, yǐjīng zuì le, gēn jiǔliàng méi guānxi le.)
He drank too much, he's already drunk, it has nothing to do with [capacity for liquor] anymore.
حقيقة ممتعة
The character '酒' (jiǔ) is an ideogrammic compound, with the left radical '氵' (shuǐ, water) indicating its liquid nature and the right part '酉' (yǒu) representing a wine vessel. The character '量' (liàng) also has ancient forms that depict a measuring device.
مستوى الصعوبة
short
short
short
short
ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك
المتطلبات الأساسية
تعلّم لاحقاً
متقدم
تعبيرات اصطلاحية
"酒量好"
Good at holding one's liquor; can drink a lot
他酒量很好，喝多少都不会醉。
neutral"酒量差"
Poor at holding one's liquor; can't drink much
我酒量差，一杯啤酒就脸红了。
neutral"酒量大"
Large capacity for alcohol
他的酒量真大，一个人喝了两瓶白酒。
neutral"酒量小"
Small capacity for alcohol
她酒量小，一点酒都不能碰。
neutral"练酒量"
Practice drinking to improve one's capacity
为了应酬，他不得不练酒量。
neutral"拼酒量"
Compete in drinking capacity
他们两个每次聚会都要拼酒量。
informal"酒量浅"
Shallow capacity for alcohol (similar to 酒量小)
别劝她了，她酒量浅。
neutral"酒量深"
Deep capacity for alcohol (similar to 酒量大)
老板的酒量很深，没人能喝过他。
neutral"酒量惊人"
Astonishing drinking capacity
没想到他酒量惊人，千杯不醉。
neutral"酒量不佳"
Not good at holding one's liquor (more formal than 酒量差)
我酒量不佳，就不多喝了。
neutralأصل الكلمة
Composed of two characters: '酒' (jiǔ) meaning 'alcohol' or 'liquor', and '量' (liàng) meaning 'measure', 'quantity', or 'capacity'.
المعنى الأصلي: The combined meaning directly translates to 'alcohol quantity' or 'liquor capacity', indicating how much alcohol a person can drink.
Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic branch (Mandarin Chinese).السياق الثقافي
In Chinese culture, a person's 酒量 (jiǔliàng) can be a significant topic of conversation, especially in social and business settings. It's often associated with one's ability to 'hold their liquor' and can sometimes be seen as a measure of camaraderie or even trustworthiness during banquets and toasts. However, it's increasingly recognized that responsible drinking is paramount.
اختبر نفسك 66 أسئلة
Choose the correct pinyin for 酒量.
The pinyin for 酒 is jiǔ (third tone) and the pinyin for 量 is liàng (fourth tone).
Which word means 'drink' or 'liquor'?
酒 (jiǔ) specifically refers to alcoholic drinks or liquor.
If someone has a small 酒量, what does that mean?
A small 酒量 (jiǔ liàng) means a low capacity for alcohol.
酒量 (jiǔ liàng) refers to how much food someone can eat.
酒量 (jiǔ liàng) refers to one's capacity for drinking alcohol, not eating food.
If you say 他的酒量很好 (tā de jiǔ liàng hěn hǎo), you mean he is good at drinking a lot of alcohol.
他的酒量很好 (tā de jiǔ liàng hěn hǎo) means 'His capacity for liquor is very good,' implying he can drink a lot.
酒量 (jiǔ liàng) is a verb.
酒量 (jiǔ liàng) is a noun, meaning 'capacity for liquor.'
This sentence means 'He has a good capacity for alcohol.'
This sentence asks 'How is your capacity for alcohol?'
This sentence means 'My capacity for alcohol is not big.'
You are at a dinner with Chinese friends. Someone asks about your alcohol tolerance. How would you say you have a small capacity for liquor?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的酒量很小。
Your friend drank a lot of baijiu and is now very drunk. You want to comment on their high alcohol tolerance. How would you say they have a good capacity for liquor?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
他的酒量很好！
You are discussing with a friend who has a better alcohol tolerance. How would you ask: 'Who has a better capacity for liquor, you or me?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你和我的酒量，谁更好？
小王为什么不喜欢喝酒？
Read this passage:
小王不喜欢喝酒，因为他的酒量很小。每次喝一点点酒，他都会脸红。他喜欢喝茶。
小王为什么不喜欢喝酒？
Passage states '因为他的酒量很小' (because his alcohol capacity is small).
Passage states '因为他的酒量很小' (because his alcohol capacity is small).
关于张丽的酒量，下面哪句话是对的？
Read this passage:
张丽的酒量很好，她可以喝很多啤酒。她周末经常和朋友一起去酒吧喝酒。
关于张丽的酒量，下面哪句话是对的？
Passage says '她的酒量很好，她可以喝很多啤酒' (Her alcohol capacity is good, she can drink a lot of beer).
Passage says '她的酒量很好，她可以喝很多啤酒' (Her alcohol capacity is good, she can drink a lot of beer).
在中国饭桌上，人们可能会问什么？
Read this passage:
在中国的饭桌上，人们经常会问别人的酒量怎么样。如果你酒量不好，可以说 '我酒量不好'。
在中国饭桌上，人们可能会问什么？
Passage says '人们经常会问别人的酒量怎么样' (People often ask about others' alcohol capacity).
Passage says '人们经常会问别人的酒量怎么样' (People often ask about others' alcohol capacity).
This sentence means 'He has a good drinking capacity.' The common structure is 'Subject + 酒量 + Adjective.'
This sentence means 'My drinking capacity is not big.' '我的' (my) comes before '酒量' (drinking capacity), and '不大' (not big) describes it.
This sentence means 'She likes to drink, but her drinking capacity is not good.' We combine two simple clauses with '但是' (but).
他虽然喜欢喝酒，但是___不好，喝一点就醉了。
The sentence describes someone who gets drunk easily, implying a low capacity for alcohol. '酒量' (jiǔliàng) means capacity for liquor. '酒品' (jiǔpǐn) refers to alcoholic beverages or character when drinking, '酒水' (jiǔshuǐ) means alcoholic drinks, and '酒席' (jiǔxí) means banquet.
别看她个子小，___可不小，一个人能喝一瓶白酒。
The sentence indicates that despite her small stature, she can drink a lot, which points to a high capacity for alcohol. '酒量' (jiǔliàng) fits perfectly here. '酒瘾' (jiǔyǐn) is alcohol addiction, '酒鬼' (jiǔguǐ) is an alcoholic, and '酒意' (jiǔyì) is the feeling of being drunk.
我的___很差，每次聚会都只能喝果汁。
The speaker mentions only being able to drink juice at gatherings, which suggests a low capacity for alcohol. '酒量' (jiǔliàng) is the correct choice. '酒伴' (jiǔbàn) is a drinking companion, '酒具' (jiǔjù) are drinking utensils, and '酒楼' (jiǔlóu) is a restaurant/winery.
他平时不怎么喝酒，所以___不太好。
The sentence implies that because he doesn't drink often, his capacity for alcohol isn't good. '酒量' (jiǔliàng) is the appropriate word. '酒桌' (jiǔzhuō) is a drinking table, '酒坊' (jiǔfāng) is a winery/brewery, and '酒窖' (jiǔjiào) is a wine cellar.
为了保持健康，我最近一直在控制我的___。
To maintain health, one might control how much alcohol they drink, meaning they are managing their capacity for liquor. '酒量' (jiǔliàng) fits this context. '酒肉' (jiǔròu) refers to wine and meat (often implying a luxurious lifestyle), '酒瘾' (jiǔyǐn) is alcohol addiction, and '酒味' (jiǔwèi) is the smell or taste of alcohol.
经理的___很大，每次应酬都能喝很多。
The manager's ability to drink a lot at social events indicates a high capacity for alcohol. '酒量' (jiǔliàng) is the correct term. '酒杯' (jiǔbēi) is a wine glass, '酒馆' (jiǔguǎn) is a pub/bar, and '酒仙' (jiǔxiān) is an immortal drinker.
This sentence describes someone having a good alcohol tolerance. The structure '他 + 的 + 酒量 + 真 + 好' is common for expressing this.
This sentence expresses that one's alcohol tolerance is not very good. '不太行' is a common way to say something is 'not very good' or 'not up to par'.
This question asks if someone knows their alcohol tolerance, specifically how much they can drink. '能喝多少' translates to 'how much can (one) drink'.
他虽然个子小，但是___惊人，把大家都喝趴下了。
这里的语境是形容一个人能喝酒，所以“酒量”最合适。酒品指酒桌上的品德，酒瘾指酒瘾，酒气指酒味。
你的___真好，喝了这么多杯白酒还面不改色。
这句话是夸赞别人能喝酒，因此“酒量”是正确的选择。“酒劲”指酒的效力，“酒话”指酒后说的话，“酒水”指酒和饮料。
她平时滴酒不沾，___一般般，所以很少在外面喝酒。
根据语境，她平时不喝酒，所以酒量一般。酒窝是脸上的凹陷，酒精度是酒精含量，酒肉指喝酒吃肉。
看来你的___不怎么样，才喝一杯就脸红了。
这里是说一个人不能喝酒，所以“酒量”最贴切。“酒色”指酒和女色，酒气指酒味，酒劲指酒的效力。
我最近戒酒了，___也下降了不少。
戒酒会导致能喝的量减少，所以“酒量”是正确答案。“酒品”指酒桌上的品德，“酒肉”指喝酒吃肉，“酒兴”指饮酒的兴致。
为了提高自己的___，他每周都会练习喝一点酒。
练习喝酒是为了提高能喝的量，所以“酒量”是合适的。“酒品”指酒桌上的品德，“酒瘾”指酒瘾，“酒伴”指一起喝酒的朋友。
Imagine you're at a business dinner in China. Someone keeps insisting you drink more, but you're not a heavy drinker. How would you politely decline without offending your host, mentioning your alcohol tolerance?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
谢谢您的好意，我的酒量不太好，喝一点点就行了。但是我会尽力多陪您聊天的。
You are writing a short social media post about a fun night out with friends. Describe a friend who has a surprisingly good alcohol tolerance, using '酒量' in your post.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
昨晚和朋友们聚餐，真是没想到小王的酒量那么好！他竟然喝了两瓶白酒还面不改色，太厉害了！
Your friend is worried about an upcoming work event where there will be a lot of drinking. Write a short message to them offering advice on how to manage their alcohol consumption, specifically mentioning understanding their own '酒量'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
别担心，到时候量力而行就好。你自己的酒量自己最清楚，慢慢喝，别勉强自己。
根据这段话，为什么了解自己的酒量很重要？
Read this passage:
在中国文化中，劝酒是一种常见的社交方式，尤其是在商务宴请中。虽然热情好客是好事，但有时可能会给酒量不好的人带来压力。了解自己的酒量并学会如何得体地拒绝，是非常重要的社交技能。
根据这段话，为什么了解自己的酒量很重要？
文章中提到'有时可能会给酒量不好的人带来压力'以及'学会如何得体地拒绝，是非常重要的社交技能'，因此了解酒量是为了避免社交压力。
文章中提到'有时可能会给酒量不好的人带来压力'以及'学会如何得体地拒绝，是非常重要的社交技能'，因此了解酒量是为了避免社交压力。
小李为什么会喝醉？
Read this passage:
小李平时不怎么喝酒，但他的同事们总是觉得他酒量很好，因为他从不推辞。有一次，他在一个大型酒会上喝醉了，第二天头疼得厉害，这才让大家知道他其实酒量很小。从那以后，小李学会在适当的时候说“不”。
小李为什么会喝醉？
文章中说'他的同事们总是觉得他酒量很好，因为他从不推辞'，这导致他喝醉了。
文章中说'他的同事们总是觉得他酒量很好，因为他从不推辞'，这导致他喝醉了。
这段话主要说明了什么？
Read this passage:
在中国的北方和南方，饮酒文化有所不同。一般来说，北方人更倾向于大口喝酒，酒量普遍较大。而南方人则更注重品酒，酒量相对较小。但这只是一个普遍现象，具体到个人，酒量还是因人而异。
这段话主要说明了什么？
文章比较了南北方饮酒文化的差异，并指出酒量因人而异，核心在于文化的差异性。
文章比较了南北方饮酒文化的差异，并指出酒量因人而异，核心在于文化的差异性。
This sentence means: 'His drinking capacity in business entertainment always amazes people.' The structure follows the common SVO pattern, with '在生意应酬中' (in business entertainment) specifying the context.
This sentence means: 'To maintain health, he decided to train his drinking capacity to adapt to social occasions.' The phrase '为了保持健康' introduces the purpose, and '以适应社交场合' explains the outcome of his decision.
This sentence means: 'Although her drinking capacity is small, she never refuses her friends' invitations.' '尽管...却...' is a common structure for expressing concession, meaning 'although...nevertheless...'.
Listen for how someone's drinking capacity is described.
Listen for a statement about someone's limited drinking capacity.
Listen for how someone's drinking capacity has developed.
Read this aloud:
你的酒量怎么样？
Focus: jiǔ liàng
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我酒量不好，不能喝太多。
Focus: bù hǎo
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
他的酒量真是令人佩服，每次都能喝到最后。
Focus: lìng rén pèi fú
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence describes someone with a low alcohol tolerance, fitting the definition of 酒量.
This sentence praises someone for their high alcohol tolerance, using 酒量 to describe it.
This sentence explains that someone needs to improve their alcohol tolerance due to work, showing the practical application of 酒量.
/ 66 correct
Perfect score!
محتوى ذو صلة
مزيد من كلمات food
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一袋
B1A bag of.
少一点儿
A2A bit less.
多一点儿
A2A bit more.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
一瓶
B1A bottle of.
一碗
B1Measure word for a bowl of food.
一盒
B1A box of.
一杯
B1Measure word for a cup of liquid.
