berauschen

Berauschen is a German verb meaning to intoxicate, either by a substance such as alcohol or drugs, or more figuratively by something that overwhelms the senses or feelings. The reflexive form sich berauschen is also used, meaning to intoxicate oneself or to revel in something.

Etymology and form: The verb is built from the noun Rausch (drunkenness, intoxication) with the prefix be-, creating a causative or intensive verb. It is attested in standard German, with a strong literary or formal register.

Usage and nuances: In contemporary speech, berauschen tends to be more formal or literary; everyday language more commonly uses betrinken or sich betrinken for getting drunk. Berauschen can take a direct object: Der Wein berauschte ihn (The wine intoxicated him). It can also be used reflexively or with a complément like an D: Die Musik berauschte das Publikum; Sie berauschte sich am Wein. In a broader sense, berauschen can convey being overwhelmed or captivated by something, not solely by intoxicants.

See also: Rausch (intoxication), berauscht (adjective), Berauschung (the noun form), Rauschmittel (substance causing intoxication).