drunkenness
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drunkenness
The state a person is in after drinking too much alcohol; intoxication. The term is often used in a legal or formal context.
Er wurde wegen Trunkenheit am Steuer zu einer Geldstrafe verurteilt.
He was fined for drunkenness at the wheel.
The word is derived from the adjective 'trunken' (an old or formal form of 'betrunken' (drunk)). The ending '-heit' forms an abstract noun that describes the state.
Die Trunkenheit des Fahrers war die Ursache des Unfalls.
The driver's drunkenness was the cause of the accident.
'Trunkenheit' (drunkenness) is a very formal word used mainly in legal and police language. It sounds more official and serious.
Im Polizeibericht wurde der Zustand des Mannes als Trunkenheit beschrieben.
In the police report, the man's condition was described as drunkenness.
By far the most common and important combination is 'Trunkenheit am Steuer' (drunkenness at the wheel / drunk driving). This expression refers to driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and is a criminal offense.
Wegen Trunkenheit am Steuer musste er seinen Führerschein abgeben.
Because of drunkenness at the wheel, he had to give up his driver's license.
intoxication / rush / noise
'der Rausch' and 'die Trunkenheit' can both describe the state after too much alcohol. 'der Rausch' is somewhat broader and can also be caused by drugs; it also sounds more natural in everyday language. 'die Trunkenheit' specifically means drunkenness from alcohol and is often used more formally or legally, for example in connection with the police, traffic, or reports. In a conversation among friends, people are more likely to say 'Rausch' or 'Betrunkenheit'. In official texts, 'Trunkenheit' fits better.
Der Fahrer verlor wegen Trunkenheit am Steuer seinen Führerschein.
The driver lost his license for drunkenness at the wheel.
Am nächsten Morgen bereute Max alles, was er im Rausch gesagt hatte.
The next morning, Max regretted everything he had said while intoxicated.