01
der Alkoholiker
alcoholic
A person who is physically and/or psychologically dependent on alcohol.
example
Er hat in einer Therapie gelernt, als trockener Alkoholiker zu leben.
In therapy, he learned to live as a recovering alcoholic.
der Alkoholiker
alcoholic
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is derived from 'der Alkohol' (alcohol). The ending '-iker' is often used in German to refer to a person who is professionally or characteristically connected with something.
EXAMPLE
Ein Musiker macht Musik, ein Techniker arbeitet mit Technik.
A musician makes music; a technician works with technology.
Typical collocations
A very important and common expression is 'trockener Alkoholiker' (recovering alcoholic, literally 'dry alcoholic'). This describes a person who is addicted to alcohol but no longer drinks alcohol. 'Anonyme Alkoholiker' (Alcoholics Anonymous) is also a fixed term for a well-known self-help group.
EXAMPLE
Seit zehn Jahren ist er trockener Alkoholiker.
He has been a recovering alcoholic for ten years.
Register
The word has a clinical character and is often used in medical or therapeutic contexts. It describes the addiction as a central characteristic of the person.
EXAMPLE
In der Klinik wird der Alkoholiker medizinisch betreut.
In the clinic, the alcoholic receives medical care.
Compare with
Alkoholiker vs Trinker
drinker
'der Alkoholiker' and 'der Trinker' can both mean a person who drinks a lot of alcohol. However, 'Alkoholiker' is more precise and refers to alcohol dependency. 'Trinker' is less specific: it can mean a person who drinks heavily, but also simply someone who is drinking something at the moment or likes a particular drink. That is why 'Trinker' can sound much more harmless depending on the context. Learners should be careful: when talking about an illness or addiction, 'Alkoholiker' is more precise. 'Trinker' needs more context.
Alkoholiker
Sein Vater war viele Jahre Alkoholiker und hat später Hilfe gesucht.
His father was an alcoholic for many years and later sought help.
Trinker
Bei der Weinprobe saßen erfahrene Trinker neben Leuten, die nur probieren wollten.
At the wine tasting, experienced drinkers sat next to people who only wanted to sample the wine.
In real life
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