What it's NOT
intoxicated does NOT translate to intoxicado (de comida).
To say "intoxicado (de comida)" in English, use to have food poisoning.
ESEN
False cognate · False friend
intoxicated
Does NOT mean intoxicado (de comida)
It means drunk
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
intoxicated means drunk.
Why it's confused
Spanish "intoxicado" mainly refers to food poisoning or poisoning from external toxic substances. English "intoxicated" almost always means drunk or under the influence of alcohol.
How it's pronounced
intoxicatedin-TÓK-si-kei-ted
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Examples of correct use
English
He was arrested for driving while intoxicated.
Spanish
Lo arrestaron por manejar ebrio.
English
She appeared intoxicated at the party.
Spanish
Se veía borracha en la fiesta.
A trick to remember it
Intoxicated = drunk. Food poisoning (Spanish "intoxicado") = to have food poisoning.
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Frequently asked questions
What does "intoxicated" mean in English?
"Intoxicated" means "drunk". It looks a lot like "intoxicado", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "intoxicado" in English?
To say "intoxicado" in English, use "to have food poisoning". If you use "intoxicated" instead, you would actually be saying "drunk".
Do "intoxicated" and "intoxicado" mean the same thing?
Spanish "intoxicado" mainly refers to food poisoning or poisoning from external toxic substances. English "intoxicated" almost always means drunk or under the influence of alcohol.
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
Library, embarrassed, actually... the full list of words that look the same but mean something different.
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