alcohol
nounCEFR B2
What does “alcohol” mean in English?
alcohol — the chemical substance ethanol; alcoholic drink in general; a topic of public-health policy
alcohol — the chemical substance ethanol; alcoholic drink in general; a topic of public-health policy (el consumo de alcohol; abuso del alcohol; bajo los efectos del alcohol)
Example sentences
La publicidad de alcohol dirigida a menores está prohibida en la mayoría de los países europeos.
Alcohol advertising directed at minors is banned in most European countries.
Conducir bajo los efectos del alcohol sigue siendo la principal causa de accidentes mortales en las carreteras españolas.
Drink-driving continues to be the leading cause of fatal accidents on Spanish roads.
La OMS ha pedido a los Estados que incrementen los impuestos sobre el alcohol para reducir su consumo.
The WHO has called on states to increase taxes on alcohol to reduce its consumption.
How to use it
El alcohol (noun, masculine) means 'alcohol' — both the chemical substance and alcoholic drink in general. At B2 it is used in health, social-policy, and chemistry discourse. Core collocations: el consumo de alcohol; la adicción/dependencia al alcohol; el abuso del alcohol; bebidas alcohólicas; conducir bajo los efectos del alcohol; tasas de alcohol en sangre. The adjective alcohólico/a covers both 'alcoholic' (person) and 'alcoholic' (containing alcohol). Note that in Spanish public-health discourse, alcohol is frequently referred to using el/la (el problema del alcohol, la cultura del alcohol).
Common mistake
Alcohol is not a false friend — it means the same in both languages. The challenge is register: el alcohol (the substance/public health topic) vs una copa/bebida alcohólica (a drink). 'Alcoholism' = alcoholismo. 'I don't drink alcohol' = No bebo alcohol (not *bebidas alcohólicas in casual speech). Remember the phrase bajo los efectos del alcohol — students often calque it incorrectly from English.