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A2 verb 9 min read

戒酒

jiejiu

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 戒酒 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 戒酒 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '戒酒' (jièjiǔ) means 'to quit drinking.' You might not use it yourself yet, but you should recognize it as a combination of '戒' (abstain) and '酒' (alcohol). At this stage, focus on the fact that '酒' means wine or alcohol. If you want to say you don't drink, you would usually say '我不喝酒' (Wǒ bù hē jiǔ). '戒酒' is a bit more advanced because it implies you used to drink but stopped. Think of it as a special vocabulary word for health and habits. You might see it in simple health posters or hear it in a movie when someone is making a promise. Just remember: 戒 = quit, 酒 = alcohol. It's a simple verb-object pair that helps you talk about lifestyle changes. Even at A1, knowing this word helps you understand why someone might refuse a drink at a party. It's a very polite but firm way to say 'no' to alcohol.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use '戒酒' in simple sentences to talk about health and personal decisions. You will learn that '戒' is a verb that can be used with other things like '烟' (tobacco) to make '戒烟' (quit smoking). You can start using auxiliary verbs like '想' (want) or '决定' (decide) with '戒酒'. For example, '我想戒酒' (I want to quit drinking) or '他决定戒酒' (He decided to quit drinking). You should also understand the use of '了' to show a completed change, like '他戒酒了' (He has quit drinking). At this level, you can use '戒酒' to explain why you are not drinking at a social event. It's a useful phrase for basic social survival in China, where drinking is common. You might also hear it in doctor-patient dialogues in your textbook. The key is to distinguish it from just 'not drinking'—'戒酒' is a deliberate action to stop a habit.

At the B1 level, you can use '戒酒' in more complex sentence structures and discuss the reasons and consequences of the action. You can use '为了' (for the sake of) to explain motivations, such as '为了身体健康，他必须戒酒' (For the sake of his health, he must quit drinking). You should also be able to use duration markers, like '他戒酒戒了三个月了' (He has been sober for three months). You will start to encounter '戒酒' in more varied contexts, such as news articles about health or social issues. You can participate in conversations about habits and self-discipline, using '戒酒' as an example of a difficult but rewarding challenge. You should also be aware of related words like '戒烟' and how they are often used together. At this level, your understanding of '戒酒' moves beyond just 'quitting' to 'maintaining sobriety.' You might also learn about the '戒酒协会' (Alcoholics Anonymous) and how to describe the process of overcoming an addiction.

At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of '戒酒' and its cultural implications in China. You can discuss the social pressure of '酒桌文化' (drinking table culture) and how '戒酒' can be a difficult social move. You can use '戒酒' in formal writing and debates about public health. You will understand how '戒' functions as a versatile prefix for many types of abstinence (戒毒, 戒色, 戒瘾). You can use more advanced grammar like '把' sentences: '他终于把酒戒了' (He finally quit drinking). You should be able to understand and use idioms related to drinking and sobriety, such as '滴酒不沾' (not a drop). Your vocabulary will include more formal synonyms or related terms like '节制' (moderation) or '禁酒' (prohibition). You can analyze the psychological aspects of '戒酒' and express complex opinions on whether it is better to quit completely or drink in moderation. This level requires you to handle '戒酒' in professional and academic discussions about health policy or sociology.

At the C1 level, you are expected to use '戒酒' with complete native-like fluency, including its use in literary or highly formal contexts. You can discuss the historical and philosophical roots of the character '戒' and its connection to Buddhist precepts. You can understand subtle nuances in tone when someone says they are '戒酒'—whether they are being serious, apologetic, or even ironic. You can write sophisticated essays on the impact of alcohol on society, using '戒酒' as a key concept in health intervention. You will be familiar with classical references or historical figures known for their drinking habits and their attempts to '戒酒'. You can use the term in professional medical or psychological contexts, discussing '戒酒综合征' (alcohol withdrawal syndrome) or '戒酒疗法' (sobriety therapy). Your mastery includes understanding how '戒酒' fits into the broader linguistic family of 'abstinence' and 'self-regulation' in Chinese thought. You can navigate high-stakes social situations where refusing a drink requires a delicate balance of firmness and face-saving, using '戒酒' as your primary tool.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of '戒酒' and can use it in any context, from street slang to academic journals. You can appreciate and use the word in puns, wordplay, or sophisticated humor. You understand the deep cultural tension between the 'poetic drunk' (like Li Bai) and the 'disciplined sober' person in Chinese history. You can discuss the evolution of the character '戒' from its bronze script origins to its modern usage. You can provide expert-level translations of the term, capturing all its connotations in different languages. You can lead seminars or give speeches on public health that involve '戒酒' as a central theme. You are also aware of the most obscure synonyms and regional variations of the term. For a C2 learner, '戒酒' is not just a word, but a window into the complex relationship between individual health, social obligation, and ancient philosophy in the Chinese-speaking world. You can use it to explore the deepest parts of the Chinese psyche regarding self-control and social harmony.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

戒酒 in 30 Seconds

To quit drinking alcohol permanently.
A combination of '戒' (abstain) and '酒' (alcohol).
Often used for health or self-improvement reasons.
A stronger, more formal term than simply 'not drinking'.

The Chinese term 戒酒 (jièjiǔ) is a compound verb that carries significant weight in both personal health and social contexts. To understand it fully, we must break down its components. The first character, 戒 (jiè), originally depicted two hands holding a spear or a halberd, symbolizing a state of being on guard, cautious, or restricted. Over time, its meaning evolved from military defense to spiritual and moral discipline, specifically meaning 'to abstain from' or 'to give up' a habit or desire. The second character, 酒 (jiǔ), is the general term for alcohol, including wine, beer, and spirits. Together, they form a verb-object construction that means 'to quit drinking' or 'to practice sobriety.'

Linguistic Structure: This is a 'separable verb' (离合词), though it is less commonly separated than others. You can occasionally see '戒了酒' (has quit drinking) where the 'le' particle is inserted between the verb and the object.
Social Context: In China, drinking is deeply embedded in business culture and social gatherings (the 'Ganbei' culture). Declaring '我在戒酒' (I am quitting drinking) is often used as a formal and serious reason to refuse a toast without offending the host, as it implies a firm commitment or a medical necessity.

医生建议他必须马上戒酒，否则肝脏会出问题。(The doctor suggested he must quit drinking immediately, otherwise his liver will have problems.)

People use 戒酒 in various scenarios. Firstly, in a medical context, it is the standard term used by healthcare professionals when advising patients to stop consuming alcohol due to conditions like cirrhosis or cardiovascular issues. Secondly, in a personal growth context, it describes the act of overcoming addiction or simply choosing a healthier lifestyle. Unlike '不喝酒' (don't drink), which could just mean you aren't drinking at this moment or don't like it, '戒酒' implies a conscious, long-term decision to stop a previously established habit.

Historically, the concept of '戒' is linked to the Buddhist Five Precepts (五戒), where '不饮酒' (not drinking) is a core tenet for spiritual clarity. This gives the word a slightly more formal and disciplined nuance compared to simple refusal. When someone says they are '戒酒', they are signaling a change in their identity or a serious health commitment. It is not something said lightly.

他已经戒酒三年了，现在身体非常好。(He has been sober for three years, and his health is great now.)

Using 戒酒 correctly requires understanding its role as a verb-object compound. It can function as the main predicate of a sentence, or it can be modified by auxiliary verbs like '想' (want), '要' (must/going to), or '打算' (plan to). Because it describes a process or a state change, it is frequently used with aspect particles like '了' (le) to indicate the completion of the decision or the start of the new state.

Direct Object Usage: While '戒' can be used with other objects like '烟' (tobacco) to form '戒烟', '戒酒' is treated as a single unit. You don't usually say '戒红酒' (quit red wine); you use the general term '戒酒' even if you only drank specific types.
Duration and Result: To express how long someone has been sober, use the pattern: [Subject] + [戒酒] + [Duration] + [了]. For example, '他戒酒一个月了' (He has quit drinking for a month).

为了家人，他下定决心要戒酒。(For the sake of his family, he made up his mind to quit drinking.)

In formal writing, you might see '戒酒' used in nominalized forms, such as '戒酒协会' (Alcoholics Anonymous or Sobriety Association) or '戒酒令' (a prohibition order). In daily speech, it is often paired with words indicating difficulty, such as '难' (hard) or '成功' (successful). For instance, '戒酒很难' (Quitting drinking is very hard) is a common sentiment expressed by those struggling with the habit.

When discussing the reason for quitting, the prepositional phrase '为了' (for/for the sake of) is often used. '为了省钱，我决定戒酒' (To save money, I decided to quit drinking). This structure helps clarify the motivation behind the action. Another common pattern is using '开始' (to start) or '停止' (to stop) with the action, though '开始戒酒' is more common than '停止戒酒', as the latter would mean resuming drinking.

你觉得戒酒之后，你的生活有什么变化吗？(Do you think your life has changed after quitting drinking?)

In Chinese-speaking societies, you will encounter the term 戒酒 in several distinct environments. The most common is the dinner table. China has a robust 'drinking culture' (酒文化) where business deals are often signed over multiple rounds of Baijiu. In these settings, if someone is not drinking, they are often pressured to do so. A guest might say, '对不起，我最近在戒酒' (Sorry, I've been quitting drinking lately) to provide a socially acceptable shield against being forced to drink. This is seen as more resolute than simply saying 'I don't want to drink.'

Medical Settings: In hospitals (医院) or clinics (诊所), doctors use this word when reviewing blood test results, particularly liver function tests. It appears on health brochures and posters promoting healthy lifestyles.
Media and Entertainment: In TV dramas (电视剧), a character might '戒酒' after a major life failure or as a promise to a loved one. It serves as a trope for character development and redemption.

他在聚会上说自己在戒酒，所以大家都没劝他喝。(He said at the party that he was quitting drinking, so no one urged him to drink.)

Another place you'll hear this is in the workplace. While the tradition of drinking with clients is still prevalent, there is a growing trend among younger professionals and health-conscious 'urbanites' to prioritize wellness. You might hear colleagues discussing '戒酒' as part of a 'New Year's Resolution' (新年愿望) or a fitness challenge. In these contexts, it's often paired with '健身' (fitness) and '戒烟' (quitting smoking).

Lastly, legal and rehabilitation contexts use this term. '戒酒中心' (rehabilitation centers) use it in their branding and program descriptions. If someone is caught driving under the influence (酒驾), the court or police might mandate '戒酒' education. Therefore, the word spans from the casual (a personal health choice) to the serious (a medical or legal requirement).

新闻报道了关于戒酒对心脏健康的好处。(The news reported on the benefits of quitting drinking for heart health.)

Learners of Chinese often make several specific errors when using 戒酒. The most frequent mistake is confusing it with the simple negative '不喝酒' (don't drink). While both involve not consuming alcohol, '不喝酒' is a general habit or a temporary state, whereas '戒酒' implies an active effort to break a previous habit. If you have never been a drinker, you cannot say you are '戒酒'; you simply '不喝酒'.

Mistake 1: Using '戒' for things you never did: Incorrect: '我不喜欢酒，所以我戒酒。' (I don't like alcohol, so I quit drinking.) Correct: '我不喜欢酒，所以我不喝酒。' (I don't like alcohol, so I don't drink.)
Mistake 2: Incorrect placement of '了': Learners often say '戒酒了三个月' which is grammatically awkward. It is better to say '戒了三个月的酒' or '戒酒戒了三个月'.

错误用法：他已经戒酒很多次了，但都没成功。(Incorrect: He has 'quit drinking' many times, but failed. This implies he stopped and started, but '戒' usually implies a finality.)

Another common confusion is between '戒酒' and '禁酒' (jìnjiǔ). '禁酒' refers to a prohibition or a ban, usually imposed by an authority or law (like the Prohibition Era in the US). '戒酒' is a personal choice or medical advice for an individual. You wouldn't say a person '禁酒' unless they were legally forbidden from drinking. Conversely, you wouldn't say a country is '戒酒'; it would '禁酒'.

Finally, learners sometimes forget that '戒' is a very strong word. Using it for a minor, one-day break from drinking sounds overly dramatic. If you are just taking a break for a night because you have a headache, use '今天不想喝' (don't want to drink today). Reserve '戒酒' for when you are making a serious life change. Using it too lightly can lead to confusion or unnecessary concern from Chinese friends who might think you have a serious health problem.

注意：不要把“戒酒”和“节制饮酒”混淆，“戒”意味着完全停止。(Note: Don't confuse 'quit drinking' with 'moderate drinking'; 'jie' means to stop completely.)

To expand your vocabulary beyond 戒酒, it is helpful to look at related terms that describe different levels of alcohol consumption or different ways of stopping. These words range from casual refusal to formal prohibitions.

戒烟 (jièyān) vs. 戒酒 (jièjiǔ): These two are almost always mentioned together as '戒烟戒酒'. They use the same verb '戒' (to abstain). If someone is living a very healthy life, they might say '我烟酒不沾' (I don't touch cigarettes or alcohol).
禁酒 (jìnjiǔ) vs. 戒酒 (jièjiǔ): '禁酒' is 'prohibition'. It is an external force. For example, '禁酒令' (Prohibition Order). '戒酒' is an internal choice or medical necessity for an individual.
节制 (jiézhì): This means 'to moderate' or 'to practice self-control'. If you haven't quit completely but are drinking less, you would say '节制饮酒' (moderate your drinking).

比起完全戒酒，有些人选择适量饮酒。(Compared to quitting drinking completely, some people choose to drink in moderation.)

Other alternatives include '断酒' (duànjiǔ), which is a more poetic or forceful way of saying 'cutting off' alcohol, often used in literature. '滴酒不沾' (dījiǔ bùzhān) is an idiom meaning 'not touching a single drop of alcohol,' which is a very strong way to express that one does not drink at all. This is often the result of successful '戒酒'.

In a casual setting, you might hear '收心' (shōuxīn), which literally means 'collecting one's heart' but can imply settling down and giving up wild habits like partying and heavy drinking. However, '戒酒' remains the most precise and commonly used term for the specific act of stopping alcohol consumption. Understanding these nuances helps you choose the right word for the right level of formality and intent.

他为了备考，不但戒酒，连社交活动也减少了。(To prepare for the exam, he not only quit drinking but also reduced his social activities.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 戒 is also used for a ring (戒指), implying a boundary or a limit placed on the finger. So, quitting drinking is like putting a 'ring' or a boundary around your behavior.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒiɛ tʃjuː/

US /dʒiɛ tʃjuː/

Both syllables are stressed, but the 3rd tone on 'jiǔ' is often more pronounced in its dipping nature.

Rhymes With

九 (jiǔ) 久 (jiǔ) 酒 (jiǔ) 旧 (jiù) 救 (jiù) 就 (jiù) 纠 (jiū) 秋 (qiū)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'jiu' like 'jew'. It should have an 'o' sound in the middle (ji-o-u).
Mixing up the tones, especially making 'jie' flat instead of falling.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are relatively simple, but '戒' has some strokes to remember.

Writing 3/5

Writing '戒' correctly requires attention to the stroke order of the spear component.

Speaking 2/5

The tones (4th and 3rd) are distinct and usually easy to master.

Listening 2/5

Very common in health and social contexts, easy to pick out.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

酒 (Alcohol) 喝 (Drink) 不 (Not) 想 (Want) 医生 (Doctor)

Learn Next

戒烟 (Quit smoking) 瘾 (Addiction) 健康 (Health) 决定 (Decide) 坚持 (Persist)

Advanced

酒精依赖 (Alcohol dependence) 戒断症状 (Withdrawal symptoms) 肝硬化 (Liver cirrhosis)

Grammar to Know

Separable Verbs (离合词)

戒了酒 (quitted drinking)

The 'Ba' Construction (把字句)

把他把酒戒了。

Duration of Action

他戒酒戒了一年。

Purpose with '为了'

为了健康而戒酒。

Change of State with '了'

他现在戒酒了。

Examples by Level

他不喝酒。

He doesn't drink.

Simple negative '不' + verb '喝'.

我想戒酒。

I want to quit drinking.

'想' (want) + verb phrase.

酒不好。

Alcohol is not good.

Simple subject + adjective.

我不买酒。

I don't buy alcohol.

'不' + verb '买'.

你要戒酒吗？

Do you want to quit drinking?

Question with '吗'.

他戒酒了。

He has quit drinking.

'了' indicating a change of state.

戒酒很难。

Quitting drinking is hard.

Verb phrase as a subject.

多喝水，戒酒。

Drink more water, quit drinking.

Imperative sentence.

为了健康，我要戒酒。

For health, I am going to quit drinking.

'为了' (for) + purpose.

他决定从明天开始戒酒。

He decided to start quitting drinking from tomorrow.

'从...开始' (starting from...).

你为什么想戒酒？

Why do you want to quit drinking?

'为什么' (why) question.

戒酒对他很有好处。

Quitting drinking is very good for him.

'对...有好处' (be good for...).

我爸爸已经戒酒了。

My dad has already quit drinking.

'已经...了' (already... ).

医生说他必须戒酒。

The doctor said he must quit drinking.

'必须' (must) + verb.

戒酒不容易，但是很重要。

Quitting drinking isn't easy, but it's important.

'但是' (but) connecting two clauses.

我正在戒酒，谢谢。

I am currently quitting drinking, thank you.

'正在' (currently) + verb.

他戒酒戒了整整一年了。

He has been sober for a whole year.

Verb duplication for duration.

如果不戒酒，你的病会更严重。

If you don't quit drinking, your illness will become more serious.

'如果...就/会' (if... then).

他戒酒的决心非常大。

His determination to quit drinking is very great.

Noun phrase with '的'.

自从戒酒以后，他精神好多了。

Since quitting drinking, he feels much more energetic.

'自从...以后' (since...).

戒酒不仅省钱，还能改善睡眠。

Quitting drinking not only saves money but also improves sleep.

'不仅...还' (not only... but also).

他参加了一个戒酒协会。

He joined a sobriety association (AA).

'参加' (join) + noun phrase.

妻子鼓励他坚持戒酒。

His wife encouraged him to persist in quitting drinking.

'鼓励' (encourage) + someone + to do something.

戒酒是一个漫长的过程。

Quitting drinking is a long process.

Subject + 是 + adjective + noun.

在社交场合戒酒确实需要很大的勇气。

It really takes a lot of courage to quit drinking in social situations.

'需要' (need/require) + noun.

他终于把喝了二十年的酒给戒了。

He finally quit the alcohol he had been drinking for twenty years.

'把' construction for result.

戒酒成功后，他开始向朋友们分享经验。

After successfully quitting drinking, he began to share his experience with friends.

'成功后' (after succeeding).

这种药可以帮助患者减轻戒酒时的痛苦。

This medicine can help patients reduce the pain of quitting drinking.

'减轻' (reduce/alleviate) + noun.

由于工作压力大，他很难彻底戒酒。

Due to high work pressure, it's hard for him to quit drinking completely.

'由于' (due to) + reason.

戒酒令的实施引起了社会的广泛讨论。

The implementation of the prohibition order caused widespread social discussion.

'引起' (cause/trigger) + noun.

他戒酒的原因不仅仅是为了自己，更是为了孩子。

The reason he quit drinking is not just for himself, but even more for his children.

'不仅仅是...更是' (not just... but even more).

尽管医生多次警告，他还是没能戒酒。

Despite the doctor's repeated warnings, he still couldn't quit drinking.

'尽管...还是' (despite... still).

戒酒并非易事，它考验着一个人的意志力。

Quitting drinking is by no means easy; it tests one's willpower.

'并非' (is not at all) + noun/adjective.

他通过冥想和运动，成功地戒酒并重获新生。

Through meditation and exercise, he successfully quit drinking and gained a new life.

'通过...成功地...' (through... successfully...).

在某些文化中，戒酒被视为一种道德上的升华。

In some cultures, quitting drinking is seen as a moral sublimation.

'被视为' (be regarded as).

戒酒后的戒断症状可能会持续数周。

Withdrawal symptoms after quitting drinking can last for several weeks.

'可能会' (might/could).

他意识到，戒酒是解决家庭矛盾的第一步。

He realized that quitting drinking was the first step to resolving family conflicts.

'意识到' (realize) + clause.

社会应当为那些想要戒酒的人提供更多的心理支持。

Society should provide more psychological support for those who want to quit drinking.

'应当' (should) + '为...提供' (provide... for...).

他在自传中详细描述了自己戒酒的心路历程。

In his autobiography, he described in detail the mental journey of his sobriety.

'详细描述' (describe in detail).

戒酒不仅仅是戒掉一种物质，更是要改变一种生活方式。

Quitting drinking is not just about giving up a substance, but more about changing a lifestyle.

'不仅仅是...更是要...' (not just... but even more about...).

戒酒之难，难于上青天，但这正是修行的意义所在。

The difficulty of quitting drinking is harder than climbing to heaven, but that is exactly the meaning of self-cultivation.

Classical structure '难于...' (harder than...).

他已达到滴酒不沾的境界，这标志着他戒酒的彻底成功。

He has reached the state of not touching a single drop, which marks the complete success of his sobriety.

'标志着' (marks/signifies).

纵观历史，许多文人墨客在晚年都会选择戒酒以养生。

Throughout history, many literati and calligraphers chose to quit drinking in their later years to preserve their health.

'纵观' (looking back through/surveying).

戒酒协会的宗旨是帮助深陷酒精泥潭的人重见光明。

The purpose of the sobriety association is to help those mired in the quagmire of alcohol see the light again.

Metaphorical language '泥潭' (quagmire).

他在戒酒期间所表现出的毅力，令所有人为之动容。

The perseverance he showed during his sobriety moved everyone.

'为之动容' (be moved by it).

戒酒并非终点，而是一个持续终生的自我博弈过程。

Quitting drinking is not the end point, but a lifelong process of self-gaming.

'并非...而是' (not... but...).

通过对戒酒案例的研究，我们可以更好地理解成瘾行为的本质。

By studying sobriety cases, we can better understand the essence of addictive behavior.

'通过对...的研究' (through the study of...).

他在演讲中呼吁，戒酒应当成为一种社会共识，以减少酒驾悲剧。

In his speech, he called for quitting drinking to become a social consensus to reduce drunk driving tragedies.

'呼吁' (call for/appeal) + clause.

Common Collocations

成功戒酒

决定戒酒

必须戒酒

彻底戒酒

戒酒期间

戒酒协会

戒酒令

戒酒困难

帮助戒酒

坚持戒酒

Common Phrases

戒烟戒酒

— To quit both smoking and drinking. A very common phrase for a healthy lifestyle.

为了备孕，他戒烟戒酒半年了。

戒酒消愁

— Literally 'quitting drinking to remove worries' (a play on 'drinking to remove worries').

他不再借酒消愁，而是选择戒酒消愁。

发誓戒酒

— To swear an oath to quit drinking.

他在妻子面前发誓戒酒。

戒酒中心

— Alcohol rehabilitation center.

他在戒酒中心待了三个月。

戒酒药物

— Medication to help quit drinking.

医生给他开了戒酒药物。

戒酒计划

— A plan to quit drinking.

他制定了一个详细的戒酒计划。

戒酒日记

— A diary kept during the process of quitting drinking.

他每天写戒酒日记来鼓励自己。

戒酒成功者

— Someone who has successfully quit drinking.

作为一名戒酒成功者，他很有成就感。

强制戒酒

— Forced or mandatory sobriety (usually legal).

他因为醉驾被判强制戒酒。

戒酒反应

— Withdrawal symptoms.

戒酒反应让他很难受。

Often Confused With

戒酒 vs 借酒 (jièjiǔ)

Sounds the same but means 'using alcohol as an excuse' (e.g., 借酒浇愁).

戒酒 vs 禁酒 (jìnjiǔ)

Means legal prohibition or a ban, not a personal choice.

戒酒 vs 不喝酒 (bù hējiǔ)

Simply means 'not drinking', doesn't imply quitting a habit.

Idioms & Expressions

"滴酒不沾"

— Not a drop of alcohol touches one's lips. Used to describe someone who is strictly sober.

他自从戒酒后，真是滴酒不沾。

Informal/Commendatory

"洗心革面"

— To wash one's heart and change one's face; a complete reformation of character. Often used when someone quits bad habits like drinking.

他决定洗心革面，从戒酒开始。

Formal

"改过自新"

— To correct one's errors and start afresh.

他戒酒后改过自新，努力工作。

Formal

"金盆洗手"

— To wash one's hands in a golden basin; to retire from a particular (often shady) way of life. Sometimes used humorously for quitting drinking.

我准备金盆洗手，戒酒了！

Informal/Humorous

"半途而废"

— To give up halfway. Often used as a warning when someone tries to quit drinking.

戒酒一定要坚持，不能半途而废。

Neutral

"持之以恒"

— To persevere. Essential for quitting drinking.

戒酒需要持之以恒的毅力。

Formal

"痛改前非"

— To bitterly reform one's previous errors.

他痛改前非，彻底戒酒了。

Formal

"身体力行"

— To practice what one preaches. Used for someone leading a sober life.

他身体力行，带头戒酒。

Formal

"自强不息"

— To constantly strive for self-improvement.

戒酒的过程就是自强不息的过程。

Formal

"知错就改"

— To correct a mistake as soon as one realizes it.

他意识到喝酒误事，知错就改，马上戒酒。

Neutral

Easily Confused

戒酒 vs 戒烟

Both start with '戒' and are related to quitting habits.

'戒烟' is for smoking; '戒酒' is for drinking. They are often used together.

他既戒烟又戒酒。

戒酒 vs 戒毒

Both involve quitting a substance.

'戒毒' is much more serious, referring to illegal drugs.

他在戒毒所戒毒。

戒酒 vs 节制

Both involve limiting intake.

'节制' means moderation; '戒酒' means complete cessation.

你应该节制，而不是完全戒酒。

戒酒 vs 解酒

Sounds similar and involves alcohol.

'解酒' means to sober up or alleviate a hangover after drinking.

喝点蜂蜜水可以解酒。

戒酒 vs 忌酒

Both mean not drinking.

'忌酒' often means to avoid alcohol due to temporary medical reasons (like taking medicine).

吃这种药期间要忌酒。

Sentence Patterns

我 + [不/想] + 戒酒。

我想戒酒。

为了 + [原因] + 戒酒。

为了健康，他戒酒。

[Subject] + 戒酒 + [Duration] + 了。

他戒酒一年了。

[Subject] + 决定 + [Verb phrase]。

他决定戒酒。

[Subject] + 把酒 + 戒了。

他终于把酒戒了。

尽管...还是...

尽管很难，他还是戒酒了。

[Subject] + 成功地 + 戒酒。

他成功地戒酒并重获健康。

戒酒之...，...

戒酒之难，难于上青天。

Word Family

Nouns

戒酒者 (sober person)

戒酒令 (prohibition)

戒酒协会 (AA)

Verbs

戒 (to abstain)

戒掉 (to quit/give up)

Adjectives

戒酒的 (sobering)

戒烟 (quit smoking)

戒毒 (quit drugs)

戒瘾 (quit addiction)

戒色 (abstain from lust)

戒备 (be on guard)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in health, social, and medical contexts.

Common Mistakes

我不喜欢酒，所以我戒酒。 → 我不喜欢酒，所以我不喝酒。
You only '戒' (quit) a habit you actually had. If you never drank, you just '不喝酒'.
他戒酒了三个月。 → 他戒了三个月的酒。 / 他戒酒戒了三个月。
When expressing duration with a verb-object phrase, you must duplicate the verb or place the duration between them.
这个国家戒酒了。 → 这个国家禁酒了。
Countries or authorities '禁酒' (prohibit); individuals '戒酒' (quit).
我今天头疼，所以戒酒。 → 我今天头疼，所以不喝。
'戒酒' is too serious for a one-day break. Use '不喝' for temporary situations.
他戒酒得很成功。 → 他成功地戒了酒。
While '戒酒' is a verb-object, '成功' is better used as an adverb '成功地' or as a result '成功了'.

Tips

Use it as a Shield

If you are being pressured to drink at a Chinese banquet, saying '我在戒酒' is your best defense. It's socially acceptable and ends the pressure.

The 'Le' Particle

Always use '了' (le) when you have already quit to show the change of state: '我戒酒了'.

Pair with 戒烟

Learn '戒烟戒酒' together as a set phrase for 'quitting smoking and drinking'.

Tone Check

Ensure '戒' is a sharp falling tone. If you make it flat, people might not understand you.

Spear and Vessel

Remember the spear in '戒' guarding you from the vessel in '酒'.

Medical Context

Doctors will often say '你必须戒酒' (You must quit drinking).

Support Groups

'戒酒协会' is the term for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

Stroke Order

Pay attention to the '戈' (spear) part of '戒'; the slant stroke is usually last.

戒 vs 禁

Use '戒' for yourself, '禁' for a law or a ban.

Don't Overuse

Don't use '戒酒' if you are just skipping one drink. Use it for a real commitment.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

'Jie' looks like a person holding a weapon to guard their 'Jiu' (alcohol) bottle from themselves!

Visual Association

Imagine a 'No Entry' sign placed over a bottle of wine. The 'No Entry' sign is the 'Jie'.

Word Web

酒 (Alcohol) 喝 (Drink) 醉 (Drunk) 戒 (Abstain) 烟 (Smoking) 健康 (Health) 医生 (Doctor) 决心 (Determination)

Challenge

Try to tell a friend 'I am quitting drinking' in Chinese using '正在' (zhèngzài).

Word Origin

The character 戒 (jiè) dates back to the oracle bone script, showing two hands (廾) holding a spear (戈), meaning to guard against something. 酒 (jiǔ) shows water (氵) next to a vessel (酉) used for fermenting grain.

Original meaning: To guard oneself against the influence of alcohol.

Sino-Tibetan.

Cultural Context

Be aware that '戒酒' can imply a past struggle with alcoholism, so use it with empathy.

In the West, 'quitting drinking' is often associated with AA or personal health trends like 'Dry January'.

The Buddhist Five Precepts (五戒) Li Bai (the famous drunk poet who never quit) Modern health campaigns in China

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a dinner party

我在戒酒，以茶代酒。
对不起，我不喝酒。
医生不让我喝酒。
我最近在戒酒。

In a hospital

你需要戒酒。
戒酒对肝脏好。
你戒酒多久了？
我有戒酒的药。

At home

我决定戒酒了。
帮我把酒扔了。
戒酒很难，但我会努力。
为了孩子，我要戒酒。

In a support group

我戒酒三个月了。
大家一起努力戒酒。
分享一下戒酒经验。
戒酒改变了我的生活。

In a news report

戒酒令的颁布。
戒酒对健康的益处。
如何科学戒酒。
戒酒协会的活动。

Conversation Starters

"你觉得戒酒难吗？ (Do you think quitting drinking is hard?)"

"你身边有人在戒酒吗？ (Is anyone around you quitting drinking?)"

"为了健康，你愿意戒酒吗？ (For health, would you be willing to quit drinking?)"

"戒酒之后身体会有什么变化？ (What changes happen to the body after quitting drinking?)"

"为什么很多人决定在新年戒酒？ (Why do many people decide to quit drinking at New Year?)"

Journal Prompts

写一写你对戒酒的看法。 (Write about your views on quitting drinking.)

如果你要戒酒，你会怎么做？ (If you were to quit drinking, how would you do it?)

描述一个成功戒酒的人的故事。 (Describe the story of someone who successfully quit drinking.)

戒酒对家庭关系有什么影响？ (What impact does quitting drinking have on family relationships?)

你认为社会应该如何支持戒酒的人？ (How do you think society should support people quitting drinking?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, '戒酒' typically implies a permanent decision to stop drinking completely. If you are just taking a short break, you might say '最近不喝酒' instead.

You can say '我正在努力戒酒' (Wǒ zhèngzài nǔlì jièjiǔ).

Yes, it is considered a very valid and respectable reason to refuse alcohol in China, often more respected than just saying you don't like it.

Usually, we say '戒咖啡' (jiè kāfēi), but '戒' is most commonly paired with '烟' (smoking), '酒' (drinking), and '毒' (drugs).

'戒酒' is a personal act or advice to an individual; '禁酒' is a legal ban or religious prohibition for a group or society.

It is primarily a verb-object compound (to quit drinking), but it can act as a noun in phrases like '戒酒计划' (quitting drinking plan).

You can say '他成功戒酒了' (Tā chénggōng jièjiǔ le).

Yes, it is the standard term doctors use when telling patients they must stop drinking for health reasons.

Yes, '酒' is a general term for all alcohol, including beer, wine, and spirits.

Historically, '戒' implied a boundary or caution. A ring acts as a boundary or a sign of a vow on the finger.