01
sich betrinken
to get drunk
To drink so much alcohol that you become drunk. The verb is used almost exclusively reflexively.
example
Er hat sich auf der Feier gestern Abend ziemlich betrunken.
He got pretty drunk at the party last night.
betrinken
to get drunk
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Meanings
Usage tips
Reflexive verb
This verb is almost always reflexive: 'sich betrinken' (to get drunk). The reflexive pronoun (mich, dich, sich, uns, euch, sich) must always be adjusted to match the subject.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mich auf der Party nicht betrunken.
I didn't get drunk at the party.
Inseparable verb
The prefix 'be-' is inseparable. It remains firmly attached to the verb 'trinken' (to drink) in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich gestern Abend stark betrunken.
He got very drunk last night.
Use with a preposition
If you want to state what someone gets drunk on, you use the preposition 'mit' (with) followed by the dative.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat sich auf dem Weinfest mit Rotwein betrunken.
She got drunk on red wine at the wine festival.
Compare with
betrinken vs trinken
to drink
'trinken' and 'sich betrinken' both have to do with drinks, but they do not mean the same thing. 'trinken' is general: you can drink water, tea, or alcohol. It only says that you take in a liquid. 'sich betrinken' is used only with alcohol and means that someone drinks so much alcohol that they become drunk. Learners may confuse the words because alcohol can be involved in both cases. The important point is: you can drink a glass of wine without getting drunk.
betrinken
Auf der Feier hat sich Paul betrunken und ist früh nach Hause gegangen.
At the party, Paul got drunk and went home early.
trinken
Nach dem Sport trinke ich zuerst ein großes Glas Wasser.
After exercising, I first drink a large glass of water.
In real life
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