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.
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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
Alkoholiker explicitly refers to a person who is physically or psychologically dependent on alcohol. Trinker can also refer to someone with problematic and excessive alcohol consumption, but it does not clearly establish dependence in every context.
Alkoholiker
Wegen seiner festgestellten Abhängigkeit wird der Patient als Alkoholiker behandelt.
Because his dependence has been diagnosed, the patient is being treated as an alcoholic.
Trinker
Er trinkt regelmäßig zu viel und gilt als Trinker, doch eine Abhängigkeit wurde nicht festgestellt.
He regularly drinks too much and is considered a heavy drinker, but no dependence has been diagnosed.
In real life
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