About
The character 醉, signifying a state of drunkenness, is structurally composed of the semantic element 酉, which represents alcohol or its containers, combined with 卒, a component that primarily served a phonetic function in its formation. Its etymological origin is squarely centered on the physical condition of intoxication from wine, a meaning consistently documented in early literary works. Over time, the conceptual scope of 醉 extended metaphorically to describe not only alcohol-induced stupor but also any intense, absorbed state where one is overcome by emotion or sensation, such as being enchanted by scenery or love. This shift from a purely literal to a figurative application demonstrates how the character's fundamental association with altered consciousness was generalized while its graphical construction remained stable across centuries.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他喝醉了酒。
不要喝醉酒开车。
她陶醉在音乐中。
美丽的风景让人陶醉。
他因为高兴而喝醉了。
虽然喝醉了，但他还认得路。
酒精使他陷入沉醉的状态。
每当回忆起童年的时光，他总是不由自主地陶醉其中。