Dictionary — Entry No. 1070
덜 취해
deol-chwihae · adjective
덜 취해
deol-chwihae
[dol-chwee-HAE]
adjectiveintermediate
Meaning
Literally ‘less drunk,’ describing someone who is slightly intoxicated or not as drunk as expected. Often used playfully when someone drinks but maintains composure. Common in Korean drinking culture conversations.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Referenced in casual conversations about alcohol tolerance. TWICE members joke about this during variety shows when discussing drinking culture. IVE has used this term self-deprecatingly on variety programs.
Example Sentences
술을 마셨지만 덜 취해 보여.
sureul masyeossjiman deol-chwihae boyeo.
You drank but you look less drunk — suggests good alcohol tolerance.
그는 항상 덜 취해 있어.
geuneun hangsang deol-chwihae isseo.
He’s always less drunk — implying naturally high tolerance.
덜 취했으니까 괜찮아.
deol-chwisseuni-kka gwenchanha.
Since I’m less drunk, it’s fine — playful assumption without serious intent.
⚠️ Don’t use deol-chwihae when…
Not a reliable measure of driving safety—never use casually to justify driving after drinking. Tolerance varies individually and doesn’t mean impairment doesn’t exist.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Itaewon Class — bar scenes with character drinking and tolerance discussions
- K-Pop: TWICE — ‘Alcohol-Free’ music video themes
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.