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alcohólico/a

B1 adjective #6,000 most common 12 min read

alcohólico/a

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips alcohólico/a in 30 Seconds

Explanation alcohólico/a in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize 'alcohólico' as a word related to 'alcohol'. You might see it on menus or in supermarkets. You will mostly use it as an adjective for drinks. For example, 'bebida alcohólica' (alcoholic drink). It is important to know that in Spanish, we usually put the adjective after the noun. You should also learn the opposite: 'sin alcohol' (without alcohol). At this level, you don't need to worry about the medical meanings, just how to identify if a drink has alcohol or not. Remember that if the drink is feminine, like 'cerveza' (beer), you must say 'alcohólica'. If the noun is masculine, like 'vino' (wine), you say 'alcohólico'. This is a basic rule of gender agreement that you are learning now. You might also see 'Alcohólicos Anónimos' signs, and you should know it refers to a group for people with drinking problems. Keep it simple: use it to describe liquids and recognize it in signs.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'alcohólico' in more complete sentences. You should understand the difference between 'ser alcohólico' and 'estar borracho'. At this level, you are learning about health and habits. You might say, 'Él no bebe porque es alcohólico' (He doesn't drink because he is an alcoholic). You are also learning to describe products in more detail. You might ask, '¿Esta bebida es alcohólica?' when you are at a party. You should be comfortable with the plural forms: 'bebidas alcohólicas' and 'productos alcohólicos'. You might also encounter the word in simple news stories or health tips. For example, 'El exceso alcohólico es malo para la salud' (Excessive alcohol is bad for health). You are building the foundation to talk about social issues and personal health, and 'alcohólico' is a key vocabulary word for these topics. Focus on the correct gender and number agreement in your sentences.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'alcohólico' in more complex social and medical contexts. You should understand that it is a serious term. You will use it to discuss social problems, such as 'el problema alcohólico en los jóvenes' (the alcoholic problem among youth). You will also use it to describe symptoms or medical conditions, like 'coma alcohólico' or 'aliento alcohólico'. At this level, you are moving beyond simple descriptions and starting to express opinions and discuss social trends. You should know that 'alcohólico' can be a noun (a person) or an adjective (describing a thing). You should also be aware of related words like 'alcoholismo' (alcoholism). In your writing, you can use it to talk about regulations, like 'la venta de bebidas alcohólicas a menores'. You are now able to handle more sensitive topics, and using the word 'alcohólico' correctly shows that you understand the weight of the term in Spanish culture.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'alcohólico' in technical, legal, and formal contexts. You will encounter terms like 'graduación alcohólica' (alcohol content) or 'tasa alcohólica' (alcohol level in blood) in news reports about traffic and law. You should be able to discuss the nuances of addiction and recovery using this word. For example, you might write an essay about 'la publicidad de productos alcohólicos'. You should also distinguish 'alcohólico' from more technical terms like 'etílico'. At this level, your vocabulary is sophisticated enough to use the word in professional environments, such as a workplace safety meeting or a medical consultation. You understand that the word carries a stigma and should be used with care. You can also use it in more abstract ways, such as describing the 'grado alcohólico' of a complex chemical solution. Your ability to use the word accurately in different registers (formal vs. informal) is a hallmark of the B2 level.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word 'alcohólico' and its social, medical, and literary implications. You can use it to analyze complex social phenomena, such as 'la cultura alcohólica' in certain societies. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how it relates to other terms in the 'alcohol' family. You can use it in high-level academic writing or professional medical reports. For instance, you might discuss 'la predisposición genética al comportamiento alcohólico'. You are also sensitive to the person-first language, perhaps choosing to say 'persona con dependencia alcohólica' instead of just 'un alcohólico' in formal settings to avoid labeling. You can identify the word in literature where it might be used metaphorically to describe an intoxicating atmosphere or a destructive passion. Your use of the word is precise, culturally aware, and grammatically perfect in even the most complex sentence structures.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'alcohólico' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You can use the word in all its nuances, from the most technical chemical descriptions to the most subtle literary metaphors. You are aware of regional variations in how the word is used and the various euphemisms that might be used instead in different Spanish-speaking countries. You can lead discussions on public policy regarding 'la industria alcohólica' or 'la legislación sobre el consumo alcohólico'. You understand the philosophical implications of the term in the context of addiction and free will. In your writing, you can manipulate the word to achieve specific rhetorical effects. You can also easily distinguish and explain the differences between 'alcohólico', 'etílico', 'ebrio', 'beodo', and 'embriagado' to others. Your command of the word is comprehensive, allowing you to use it with total confidence in any possible context, whether it's a scientific journal, a legal brief, or a deep philosophical conversation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

alcohólico/a in 30 Seconds

Alcohólico/a describes anything containing alcohol, like beverages or chemical solutions, and must agree in gender with the noun it modifies in Spanish.
It is also a noun and adjective for a person suffering from alcoholism, a chronic medical condition, and should be used with sensitivity.
Common technical phrases include 'graduación alcohólica' (alcohol content) and 'coma alcohólico' (alcohol poisoning), frequently heard in medical or legal contexts.
Learners should avoid using it to mean 'drunk' (use 'borracho' instead) and remember to include the accent mark on the 'ó'.

The Spanish word alcohólico (masculine) or alcohólica (feminine) is a multifaceted term that functions both as an adjective and a noun. At its most fundamental level, it describes anything related to, containing, or caused by alcohol. When used as an adjective modifying an inanimate object, it typically refers to the chemical composition or the nature of a substance, such as a beverage or a solution. For instance, in a laboratory or a bar, you might encounter liquids described as having a specific alcoholic content. However, the word carries significant weight when applied to human beings. In a medical and social context, it refers to an individual suffering from alcoholism—a chronic disease characterized by an uncontrollable desire to consume manufactured spirits. It is crucial for English speakers to distinguish between the clinical use of the word and its colloquial use. While in English we might loosely say someone is 'alcoholic' to describe their state of intoxication, in Spanish, alcohólico almost always implies a permanent condition or a recurring struggle with addiction. If you simply want to say someone is drunk at a party, you would use borracho or ebrio instead. Using alcohólico incorrectly can lead to serious misunderstandings, as it suggests a pathological diagnosis rather than a temporary state of being. The word is ubiquitous in health-related discussions, legal texts regarding traffic safety, and social service environments. Because it ends in -o or -a, it must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. For example, a drink (la bebida) is alcohólica, whereas a gel (el gel) is alcohólico. Understanding this distinction is the first step toward mastering the term in a professional or sensitive conversational setting.

Medical Classification: Used to identify individuals diagnosed with the chronic illness of alcoholism.

Chemical Description: Refers to the presence of ethanol in a liquid or substance.

Legal Terminology: Relates to the regulation of spirits, such as 'taxable alcoholic products'.

El paciente fue diagnosticado como alcohólico crónico tras años de consumo excesivo.

Esta es una bebida no alcohólica, perfecta para los niños en la fiesta.

El grado alcohólico del vino tinto suele estar entre el doce y el quince por ciento.

Muchos geles desinfectantes tienen una base alcohólica para eliminar bacterias.

Él asiste a reuniones para alcohólicos anónimos todos los martes por la noche.

Using alcohólico/a correctly requires attention to both grammatical gender and the specific nuance of the sentence. When functioning as an adjective, it almost always follows the noun it describes. For instance, if you are talking about 'alcoholic beverages', you say bebidas alcohólicas. Notice how bebidas is feminine and plural, so alcohólicas must also be feminine and plural. If you were discussing 'alcoholic breath', it would be aliento alcohólico—masculine and singular. In terms of sentence structure, the word is frequently found in descriptive phrases following the verb ser (to be), because it denotes a characteristic or a permanent state. Saying 'Él es alcohólico' means he has the disease of alcoholism. Conversely, we rarely use estar with this word because estar usually denotes a temporary state. You wouldn't say 'Él está alcohólico' to mean he is drunk right now; that is a common error for English learners. Instead, you would say 'Él está borracho'. Another common usage is in technical or scientific contexts. Phrases like graduación alcohólica (alcohol content/percentage) are standard on product labels. In these cases, the word acts as a technical classifier. When used as a noun, it can be preceded by articles like un, una, los, las. For example, 'Los alcohólicos necesitan apoyo' (Alcoholics need support). It is also important to note that the word can be used metaphorically in literature, though this is less common than in English. You might read about an 'alcohólica tristeza' (an alcoholic sadness), suggesting a deep, intoxicating, or destructive sorrow, but this is a high-level literary device. In everyday speech, stick to the literal medical or chemical meanings to avoid confusion. Whether you are ordering a drink, reading a medical report, or discussing social issues, the placement and agreement of alcohólico are the keys to sounding natural.

Noun Agreement: Always match the gender and number of the person or object being described.

Verb Pairing: Use 'ser' for identity/condition and avoid 'estar' for temporary intoxication.

Technical Phrases: Commonly used in chemistry, medicine, and law as a formal descriptor.

Las bebidas alcohólicas están prohibidas en este parque público.

El médico le explicó que su hígado está dañado por ser alcohólico.

¿Cuál es el grado alcohólico de esta ginebra artesanal?

Ella es una alcohólica en recuperación que lleva diez años sobria.

El olor alcohólico en la habitación era casi insoportable.

In the real world, the word alcohólico appears in a variety of specific settings, ranging from the clinical to the commercial. If you are walking through a supermarket in a Spanish-speaking country, you will often see signs for the sección de bebidas alcohólicas. This is the standard, neutral way to label the liquor aisle. In a medical setting, such as a hospital or a doctor's office, the word is used with clinical precision. You might hear a nurse ask about a patient's antecedentes alcohólicos (history of alcohol use) or a doctor discuss a coma alcohólico (alcohol-induced coma), which is a life-threatening emergency caused by extreme intoxication. On the news, you will frequently hear the word in the context of traffic accidents. Reporters often mention if a driver was under the influence, using phrases like conducir bajo los efectos alcohólicos or mentioning a control de alcoholemia (breathalyzer test), which is etymologically related. Another very common place to hear the word is in the name of the international organization Alcohólicos Anónimos (Alcoholics Anonymous). Because this group is active in almost every Spanish-speaking nation, the term is synonymous with the path to recovery. In schools and public health campaigns, educators use the word to warn about the dangers of early consumption, often referring to bebidas de alta graduación alcohólica. Interestingly, you might also hear it in a culinary context, where a chef might describe a sauce with an aroma alcohólico that needs to be reduced through cooking. Despite its heavy clinical and social connotations, the word is a standard part of the lexicon for describing substances. It is rarely used as a joke; unlike English where someone might jokingly call themselves a 'chocoholic', Spanish speakers do not typically use alcohólico as a suffix for lighthearted obsessions. It remains a serious term for a serious subject, whether technical or personal.

Supermarkets: Look for signs saying 'Bebidas Alcohólicas' for wine, beer, and spirits.

Hospitals: Used in diagnoses like 'cirrosis alcohólica' or 'intoxicación alcohólica'.

The News: Frequent mentions in police reports regarding 'tasa alcohólica' in drivers.

El supermercado cerró la sección alcohólica debido a la ley seca por las elecciones.

El conductor superó el límite alcohólico permitido por la ley de tránsito.

En la etiqueta dice que el contenido alcohólico es del cuarenta por ciento.

El grupo de alcohólicos anónimos se reúne en el sótano de la iglesia.

La policía realizó un test alcohólico a todos los involucrados en el choque.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using alcohólico/a is failing to distinguish between a temporary state and a permanent condition. In English, we might say 'He's being very alcoholic today' if someone is drinking a lot, but in Spanish, this makes no sense. As mentioned earlier, alcohólico refers to the identity or nature of a person (the disease), not the act of being drunk. Another major pitfall is gender agreement. Because many alcoholic terms in English are gender-neutral, students often forget to change the ending to -a when talking about women or feminine nouns like bebida or solución. For example, saying 'una bebida alcohólico' is a jarring mistake to a native speaker. Additionally, learners often confuse alcohólico with etílico. While they are related, etílico is a more technical, chemical term (referring specifically to ethyl alcohol). You would hear alcohol etílico in a pharmacy, but you wouldn't call a person an 'etílico' in common conversation. Another mistake is the misuse of the accent mark. The word is an esdrújula, meaning the stress is on the third-to-last syllable: al-co-hó-li-co. Without the accent, the pronunciation and spelling are incorrect. Furthermore, some learners try to use the English suffix '-holic' to create new Spanish words, like 'trabajólico' for workaholic. While 'trabajólico' is sometimes understood as a slang loanword in some regions, it is not standard Spanish. The correct way to express 'workaholic' is usually adicto al trabajo. Finally, avoid using alcohólico as a synonym for 'party-goer'. Someone who likes to party and drink socially is a fiestero or bebedor social, not an alcohólico. Using the latter implies a tragic health struggle that may not be present, potentially causing offense or unnecessary concern.

The 'Estar' Trap: Mistakenly using 'estar alcohólico' instead of 'estar borracho' to describe current intoxication.

Gender Neglect: Forgetting to change the ending to -a for feminine nouns like 'cerveza' or 'copa'.

Accent Omission: Leaving out the tilde on the 'ó', which is required for all esdrújula words.

Incorrecto: Él está alcohólico ahora mismo. (Use: está borracho).

Incorrecto: Me gusta la cerveza alcohólico. (Use: alcohólica).

Incorrecto: El alcoholico no tiene cura. (Use: alcohólico with accent).

Incorrecto: Soy un chocolatohólico. (Use: adicto al chocolate).

Incorrecto: El vino es un líquido etílico común. (Use: bebida alcohólica).

To expand your Spanish vocabulary, it is helpful to understand the synonyms and related terms that surround alcohólico/a. While alcohólico is the most direct translation for 'alcoholic', other words might be more appropriate depending on the context. For instance, etílico is the chemical adjective used for things related to ethanol. You will see alcohol etílico on bottles of rubbing alcohol or in medical reports discussing intoxicación etílica. Another word is ebrio, which is a formal way of saying 'drunk' or 'intoxicated'. It is often used in legal documents or formal news reports (e.g., 'el conductor estaba ebrio'). Borracho is the most common, everyday word for someone who has had too much to drink. It is less formal than ebrio and much less clinical than alcohólico. If you are looking for a more sympathetic or descriptive term for someone with a drinking problem, you might use bebedor problemático (problem drinker) or adicto al alcohol (alcohol addict). In a social setting, if a drink has a high alcohol content, you could call it fuerte (strong) or espirituoso (spirited/liquor-based). Conversely, for non-alcoholic options, you use sin alcohol or analcohólico (though the latter is quite rare and technical). There is also the word abstemio, which describes someone who does not drink alcohol at all—the opposite of an active drinker. Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the right level of formality and precision. For example, you wouldn't call a bottle of wine 'borracho', and you wouldn't usually call a friend 'etílico' at a party. By mastering this cluster of words, you can navigate social, medical, and technical conversations with ease, ensuring that your meaning is clear and your tone is appropriate for the situation.

Alcohólico vs. Etílico: Alcohólico is general/social/medical; Etílico is strictly chemical/technical.

Alcohólico vs. Ebrio: Alcohólico refers to the person's condition; Ebrio refers to their current state of intoxication.

Alcohólico vs. Borracho: Alcohólico is a clinical diagnosis; Borracho is a common, often judgmental or informal label.

El informe forense mencionó una alta concentración de alcohol etílico en la sangre.

No es que sea alcohólico, es que anoche se puso muy borracho en la boda.

Prefiero las bebidas analcohólicas cuando tengo que conducir después.

Mi tío es abstemio; nunca ha probado una gota de vino en su vida.

El estado ebrio del sujeto era evidente por su falta de equilibrio.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"El paciente manifiesta una dependencia alcohólica severa."

Neutral

"¿Tienen alguna bebida no alcohólica?"

Informal

"Mi tío es alcohólico, pero está en tratamiento."

Child friendly

"Esta es una bebida para niños, no tiene nada alcohólico."

Slang

"Ese tipo es un alcohólico perdido."

Fun Fact

The term 'alcohol' originally had nothing to do with drinking; it meant 'the fine powder'. It took centuries for the meaning to shift to distilled spirits.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /al.ko.ˈo.li.ko/

US /al.ko.ˈo.li.ko/

Antepenultimate (third-to-last) syllable: 'hó'.

Rhymes With

católico melancólico apostólico parabólico simbólico hiperbólico bucólico cólico

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'h' like an English 'h'.
Stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., al-co-ho-LI-co).
Failing to distinguish between the two 'o' sounds.
Making the 'l' too heavy/velarized.
Skipping the final 'o' or 'a' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because it looks like the English 'alcoholic'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the accent mark and gender agreement.

Speaking 3/5

The silent 'h' and the stress on the 'o' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation usually makes it easy to spot.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

alcohol bebida vino cerveza ser

Learn Next

alcoholismo ebrio borracho sobrio adicción

Advanced

cirrosis etílico abstemio alcoholemia analcohólico

Grammar to Know

Gender Agreement

La bebida (fem) es alcohólica (fem).

Number Agreement

Los productos (masc pl) son alcohólicos (masc pl).

Adjective Placement

Always 'bebida alcohólica', never 'alcohólica bebida'.

Accentuation of Esdrújulas

Al-co-HÓ-li-co always has an accent on the third-to-last syllable.

Ser vs Estar

Use 'ser' for the condition of being an alcoholic.

Examples by Level

No quiero una bebida alcohólica.

I do not want an alcoholic drink.

Bebida is feminine, so alcohólica is feminine.

El vino es alcohólico.

The wine is alcoholic.

Vino is masculine, so alcohólico is masculine.

Hay mucha cerveza alcohólica aquí.

There is a lot of alcoholic beer here.

Cerveza is feminine singular.

Este gel no es alcohólico.

This gel is not alcoholic.

Gel is masculine singular.

¿Es alcohólico este refresco?

Is this soda alcoholic?

Refresco is masculine singular.

Las bebidas alcohólicas son caras.

Alcoholic drinks are expensive.

Bebidas is feminine plural, so alcohólicas is feminine plural.

Mi padre no toma nada alcohólico.

My father does not drink anything alcoholic.

Nada is treated as masculine singular for the adjective.

Busco una sección alcohólica.

I am looking for an alcoholic section.

Sección is feminine singular.

Él es alcohólico y necesita ayuda.

He is an alcoholic and needs help.

Used as a noun/identity with the verb 'ser'.

Ella no es alcohólica, solo bebe poco.

She is not an alcoholic, she just drinks a little.

Feminine form 'alcohólica'.

El médico dice que el consumo alcohólico es peligroso.

The doctor says that alcohol consumption is dangerous.

Consumo is masculine singular.

No compres productos alcohólicos para la fiesta infantil.

Do not buy alcoholic products for the children's party.

Productos is masculine plural.

Ese hombre alcohólico vive en la calle.

That alcoholic man lives on the street.

Used as an adjective before the noun is rare, usually follows: 'hombre alcohólico'.

Mi abuelo fue alcohólico por muchos años.

My grandfather was an alcoholic for many years.

Past tense of 'ser'.

¿Tienen cócteles no alcohólicos?

Do you have non-alcoholic cocktails?

Cócteles is masculine plural.

La policía busca conductores alcohólicos.

The police are looking for alcoholic drivers.

Conductores is masculine plural.

El paciente entró en un coma alcohólico.

The patient went into an alcohol-induced coma.

Medical term 'coma alcohólico'.

Siento un fuerte olor alcohólico en el coche.

I smell a strong alcoholic odor in the car.

Olor is masculine singular.

El aliento alcohólico del sospechoso era evidente.

The suspect's alcoholic breath was evident.

Aliento is masculine singular.

Existen muchos grupos para hijos de padres alcohólicos.

There are many groups for children of alcoholic parents.

Padres is masculine plural.

La graduación alcohólica de la cerveza es baja.

The alcohol content of the beer is low.

Graduación is feminine singular.

Fue despedido por presentarse en estado alcohólico.

He was fired for showing up in an alcoholic state.

Estado is masculine singular.

La cirrosis alcohólica es una enfermedad grave.

Alcoholic cirrhosis is a serious disease.

Cirrosis is feminine singular.

Debemos reducir el contenido alcohólico de estas bebidas.

We must reduce the alcohol content of these drinks.

Contenido is masculine singular.

La tasa alcohólica permitida es de 0.5 gramos por litro.

The permitted alcohol level is 0.5 grams per liter.

Tasa is feminine singular.

El informe destaca el impacto alcohólico en la salud pública.

The report highlights the alcoholic impact on public health.

Impacto is masculine singular.

Se prohíbe la publicidad de cualquier producto alcohólico.

Advertising of any alcoholic product is prohibited.

Producto is masculine singular.

El síndrome alcohólico fetal afecta al desarrollo del bebé.

Fetal alcohol syndrome affects the baby's development.

Síndrome is masculine singular.

La industria alcohólica genera grandes ingresos al estado.

The alcohol industry generates large revenues for the state.

Industria is feminine singular.

El tratamiento para un alcohólico crónico es complejo.

The treatment for a chronic alcoholic is complex.

Used as a noun here.

La fermentación alcohólica es un proceso natural.

Alcoholic fermentation is a natural process.

Fermentación is feminine singular.

El control alcohólico se realizará en todas las salidas.

Alcohol checks will be carried out at all exits.

Control is masculine singular.

La narrativa explora la degradación de un genio alcohólico.

The narrative explores the degradation of an alcoholic genius.

Genio is masculine, modifying it with alcohólico.

Existe una correlación entre el abuso alcohólico y la violencia.

There is a correlation between alcohol abuse and violence.

Abuso is masculine singular.

El paciente presenta una polineuropatía de origen alcohólico.

The patient presents a polyneuropathy of alcoholic origin.

Origen is masculine singular.

La legislación sobre el expendio alcohólico ha cambiado.

Legislation on alcohol sales has changed.

Expendio is masculine singular.

Su prosa tiene un tinte alcohólico, casi delirante.

His prose has an alcoholic, almost delirious tinge.

Metaphorical use of alcohólico.

El estigma alcohólico impide que muchos busquen ayuda.

The alcoholic stigma prevents many from seeking help.

Stigma is masculine (el estigma).

La solución alcohólica debe evaporarse antes de la prueba.

The alcoholic solution must evaporate before the test.

Solución is feminine singular.

Analizamos la composición alcohólica de los perfumes antiguos.

We analyze the alcoholic composition of ancient perfumes.

Composición is feminine singular.

La fenomenología del sujeto alcohólico es un tema recurrente.

The phenomenology of the alcoholic subject is a recurring theme.

Sujeto is masculine singular.

El bardo vivía en una constante nebulosa alcohólica.

The bard lived in a constant alcoholic nebula.

Nebulosa is feminine singular, metaphorical.

Se debate la etiología del comportamiento alcohólico compulsivo.

The etiology of compulsive alcoholic behavior is debated.

Comportamiento is masculine singular.

La carga alcohólica del brebaje era engañosamente suave.

The alcohol content of the concoction was deceptively mild.

Carga is feminine singular.

Su herencia alcohólica fue su mayor obstáculo existencial.

His alcoholic heritage was his greatest existential obstacle.

Herencia is feminine singular.

La desnaturalización alcohólica es un proceso industrial clave.

Alcoholic denaturation is a key industrial process.

Desnaturalización is feminine singular.

El discurso alcohólico del protagonista revela su trauma.

The protagonist's alcoholic discourse reveals his trauma.

Discurso is masculine singular.

Investigamos la permeabilidad alcohólica en membranas sintéticas.

We investigate alcoholic permeability in synthetic membranes.

Permeabilidad is feminine singular.

Common Collocations

bebida alcohólica

graduación alcohólica

coma alcohólico

aliento alcohólico

grado alcohólico

alcohólicos anónimos

tasa alcohólica

exceso alcohólico

fermentación alcohólica

contenido alcohólico

Common Phrases

ser un alcohólico

— To have the disease of alcoholism.

Es difícil admitir que uno es un alcohólico.

en estado alcohólico

— Being under the influence of alcohol.

Conducir en estado alcohólico es un crimen.

intoxicación alcohólica

— Alcohol poisoning or severe drunkenness.

La intoxicación alcohólica puede ser mortal.

abuso alcohólico

— Misuse or excessive consumption of alcohol.

El abuso alcohólico es un problema social.

bebidas no alcohólicas

— Drinks that do not contain alcohol.

Sirvieron bebidas no alcohólicas para los conductores.

dependencia alcohólica

— Physical or psychological need for alcohol.

La dependencia alcohólica requiere terapia profesional.

limpieza alcohólica

— Using alcohol for cleaning or sterilization.

Hicieron una limpieza alcohólica de los instrumentos.

base alcohólica

— A substance where alcohol is the main solvent.

Este perfume tiene una base alcohólica.

solución alcohólica

— A liquid mixture containing alcohol.

Aplica la solución alcohólica sobre la herida.

problema alcohólico

— An issue related to alcohol consumption.

Tiene un grave problema alcohólico desde joven.

Often Confused With

alcohólico/a vs alcoholizado

Means someone who is currently under the influence of alcohol, but not necessarily a chronic alcoholic.

alcohólico/a vs etílico

Strictly refers to the chemical ethyl alcohol; used for liquids, not usually people.

alcohólico/a vs borracho

The common word for being drunk; alcohólico is the medical condition.

Idioms & Expressions

"ahogarse en alcohol"

— To try to forget problems by drinking excessively.

Después de perder su trabajo, se ahogó en alcohol.

informal

"beber como una esponja"

— To drink vast amounts of alcohol.

En la fiesta, Juan bebió como una esponja.

colloquial

"tener un agujero en la garganta"

— To drink very quickly or in large quantities.

Parece que tiene un agujero en la garganta; ya terminó la botella.

colloquial

"estar hasta las cejas"

— To be extremely drunk (can also mean busy).

Llegó a casa hasta las cejas de vino.

slang

"empinar el codo"

— To drink alcohol frequently or excessively.

A mi vecino le gusta mucho empinar el codo.

colloquial

"irse de copas"

— To go out drinking socially.

Vamos a irnos de copas este viernes.

neutral

"curar la cruda"

— To treat a hangover (common in Mexico).

Necesito unos chilaquiles para curar la cruda.

colloquial

"darle a la botella"

— To have a drinking habit.

Desde que se divorció, le da mucho a la botella.

informal

"estar como una cuba"

— To be completely wasted/drunk.

No puede ni hablar, está como una cuba.

colloquial

"dormir la mona"

— To sleep off a state of drunkenness.

Déjalo tranquilo, está durmiendo la mona.

colloquial

Easily Confused

alcohólico/a vs ebrio

Both mean intoxicated.

Ebrio is a formal state of being drunk; alcohólico is a chronic disease.

El conductor ebrio chocó contra el muro.

alcohólico/a vs bebedor

Both refer to people who drink.

Bebedor is just a 'drinker'; alcohólico implies addiction.

Es un bebedor social, no un alcohólico.

alcohólico/a vs analcohólico

Sounds similar.

Analcohólico means 'non-alcoholic'.

Prefiero los refrescos analcohólicos.

alcohólico/a vs espirituoso

Related to alcohol.

Espirituoso refers to distilled liquors specifically.

El coñac es una bebida espirituosa.

alcohólico/a vs sobrio

Opposite state.

Sobrio is the state of not being drunk; the opposite of alcohólico (as a noun) is 'abstemio'.

Hoy estoy sobrio.

Sentence Patterns

No [verb] bebidas alcohólicas.

No bebo bebidas alcohólicas.

Él/Ella es [adjective].

Él es alcohólico.

El [noun] alcohólico es [adjective].

El aliento alcohólico es fuerte.

Debido al [noun] alcohólico...

Debido al exceso alcohólico, se sintió mal.

Bajo una [noun] alcohólica...

Bajo una influencia alcohólica, tomó malas decisiones.

La [noun] de carácter alcohólico...

La patología de carácter alcohólico fue analizada.

Se prohíbe el [noun] alcohólico.

Se prohíbe el consumo alcohólico.

¿Es una bebida [adjective]?

¿Es una bebida alcohólica?

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High in health, law, and social contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'alcohólico' to mean 'drunk'. → borracho / ebrio
Alcohólico refers to the addiction, not the current state of intoxication.
Forgetting the accent: 'alcoholico'. → alcohólico
It is an esdrújula word and must have an accent on the antepenultimate syllable.
Incorrect gender: 'una bebida alcohólico'. → una bebida alcohólica
The adjective must match the feminine noun 'bebida'.
Pronouncing the 'h'. → Silent 'h'
The 'h' is always silent in Spanish, even in the middle of words.
Saying 'él está alcohólico'. → él es alcohólico
Alcoholism is considered a characteristic/condition, so 'ser' is used.

Tips

Check the Noun

Always look at the noun first. If it's 'cerveza', use 'alcohólica'. If it's 'vino', use 'alcohólico'.

The Silent H

Don't pronounce the 'h'. It should sound like 'al-co-OH-lee-ko'.

Sin Alcohol

In restaurants, just say 'sin alcohol' for non-alcoholic drinks. It's the most natural way.

Clinical Use

In a hospital, 'alcohólico' is a neutral medical term. Don't be offended if a doctor uses it.

AA Meetings

If you see a sign for 'AA', it stands for Alcohólicos Anónimos. It's a universal term.

The Accent

The accent on the 'o' is non-negotiable. It changes the rhythm of the word.

Tasa Alcohólica

If you drive in Spain or Latin America, learn the 'tasa alcohólica' limits. They are very strict.

Ley Seca

Be aware that some countries have 'dry laws' during important events where no 'bebidas alcohólicas' are sold.

Avoid 'Estar'

Never say 'Estoy alcohólico' unless you mean you have the disease. Say 'Estoy borracho' if you are drunk.

Formal Reports

In professional writing, use 'consumo de alcohol' or 'dependencia' for a more formal tone than 'alcohólico'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Alcohol' + 'I-CO' (like a company). Alcohol-i-co. The 'h' is a ghost (silent).

Visual Association

Imagine a bottle of wine wearing a doctor's stethoscope. This links the substance (wine) to the medical term (alcohólico).

Word Web

Alcohol Bebida Vino Cerveza Médico Enfermedad Hígado Control

Challenge

Try to find three labels in your house that have the word 'alcohol' and say 'Esto es un producto alcohólico' out loud for each.

Word Origin

From the Spanish word 'alcohol', which comes from the Arabic 'al-kuhl' (the kohl), originally referring to a fine powder used as eyeliner.

Original meaning: A fine metallic powder; later used to describe any substance obtained through sublimation or distillation, eventually specifically ethanol.

Semitic (Arabic) origin, adapted into Romance (Spanish) and then Latinized.

Cultural Context

Be extremely careful. Calling a person 'alcohólico' is a medical diagnosis or a harsh judgment. Use 'tiene problemas con el alcohol' for more sensitivity.

English speakers often use '-holic' as a fun suffix (shopaholic). Spanish speakers do not; calling someone 'alcohólico' is always serious.

The song 'El Alcohólico' by various salsa artists. The works of Charles Bukowski (translated as 'el realismo alcohólico'). Public service announcements from 'La Dirección General de Tráfico' in Spain.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Bar/Restaurant

¿Es alcohólico?
Bebida sin alcohol
Cóctel alcohólico
Carta de bebidas

Medical/Health

Coma alcohólico
Cirrosis alcohólica
Dependencia alcohólica
Tratamiento

Legal/Police

Tasa alcohólica
Control de alcoholemia
Estado alcohólico
Grado alcohólico

Social/Family

Es alcohólico
Alcohólicos Anónimos
Problemas con el alcohol
Recuperación

Supermarket

Sección alcohólica
Pasillo de licores
Etiqueta alcohólica
Contenido

Conversation Starters

"¿Crees que las bebidas alcohólicas deberían tener más impuestos?"

"¿Conoces a alguien que sea un alcohólico en recuperación?"

"¿Cuál es la bebida alcohólica más popular en tu país?"

"¿Qué piensas de la publicidad de productos alcohólicos en la televisión?"

"¿Prefieres los cócteles alcohólicos o los 'mocktails' sin alcohol?"

Journal Prompts

Describe una situación social donde el consumo alcohólico fue el protagonista.

Escribe sobre la importancia de ayudar a un amigo que es alcohólico.

Investiga y escribe sobre los efectos alcohólicos en el cuerpo humano a largo plazo.

¿Cómo ha cambiado la percepción de ser alcohólico en la sociedad moderna?

Escribe una carta imaginaria a una persona que asiste a Alcohólicos Anónimos.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It can be. It is a medical term, but calling someone 'un alcohólico' to their face is often seen as a harsh judgment or an insult. It is better to say 'tiene problemas con el alcohol' in sensitive situations.

Yes, but you must change it to 'alcohólica'. For example: 'Ella es alcohólica'.

Borracho refers to the temporary state of being drunk right now. Alcohólico refers to the long-term disease of addiction. You can be an alcohólico even when you are sobrio (sober).

No, it includes everything with alcohol: beer, wine, cider, and spirits. It is a general category.

The most common way is 'sin alcohol'. You can also say 'no alcohólico' or the technical 'analcohólico'.

Yes, it is stressed on the third-to-last syllable (al-co-HÓ-li-co), which is why it always has a written accent.

Yes, for example, 'gel alcohólico' (hand sanitizer) or 'solución alcohólica' in a lab.

It refers to the percentage of alcohol in a drink (e.g., 12% for wine).

Words like 'borrachín' or 'curda' are used informally, but they are less medical and more descriptive of habits.

It is sometimes used as a joke or 'Spanglish', but it is not a standard Spanish word. Use 'adicto al trabajo'.