dronken

Dronken is a Dutch adjective meaning intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol. It describes a state resulting from excessive drinking, often leading to impaired coordination, speech, and judgment. The term can describe people, situations, or appearances, such as een dronken man or iemand die dronken rondloopt. The word originates from the verb drinken (to drink); dronken is the past participle used adjectivally in Dutch, akin to English drunk and German betrunken. In historical and linguistic terms, the form has existed in Dutch since the Middle Dutch period, reflecting the common Germanic root for intoxication.

In contemporary use, dronken is commonly paired with nouns to indicate intoxication, such as dronken rijden (drunk driving), dronken aangezicht (a face that shows intoxication), or someone being onder invloed (under the influence). While dronken specifically refers to alcohol intoxication, the concept may be extended in media and everyday speech to describe impairment from other intoxicants in some contexts, though more precise terms exist for drugs.

Legal and safety considerations: In many countries, including the Netherlands and Belgium, driving after drinking above legal limits is prohibited and penalized. Public health discussions often address binge drinking, alcohol dependency, and related risks.

See also: alcohol intoxication, drunk driving, alcohol policy, substance use disorder.