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
Rausch and Trunkenheit can both refer to a state caused by alcohol. Trunkenheit is the sober, formal, and often legal term for being under the influence of alcohol. Rausch emphasizes the temporary experience of the state and can also be caused by drugs.
Der Polizeibericht stellte nach mehreren Gläsern die deutliche Trunkenheit des Mannes fest.
After several glasses, the police report recorded the man's obvious drunkenness.
Nach mehreren Gläsern erlebte der Mann einen starken Rausch.
After several glasses, the man experienced a powerful intoxication.
