betrunken
Translation
drunk, intoxicated
Examples
Er war gestern Abend sehr betrunken.
He was very drunk last night.
Ein betrunkener Fahrer verursachte den Unfall.
A drunk driver caused the accident.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.)) is betrunken ((sb.)) is drunk He is betrunken.
betrunken + ((noun)) a drunk ((noun)) A betrunkener driver is dangerous.
Similar Words
Synonyms: angetrunken (tipsy), besoffen (slang: wasted); Antonyms: nüchtern (sober)
Etymology
Past participle of 'sich betrinken' (to get drunk), from the verb 'trinken' (to drink). The prefix 'be-' often indicates a change of state, here being completely affected by drink.
Memory Tips
Think of it as the past participle of 'be-drink'. Imagine being 'be-set' by drink, meaning you are overcome by it, hence drunk.