How to Read “人酒を飲む、酒酒を飲む、酒人を飲む”
Hito sake wo nomu, sake sake wo nomu, sake hito wo nomu
Meaning of “人酒を飲む、酒酒を飲む、酒人を飲む”
This proverb expresses three stages of a person drinking alcohol and serves as a warning about the dangers of drinking.
The first stage, “Person drinks alcohol,” refers to a state where a person enjoys alcohol while maintaining their reason. At this point, the human being holds the initiative, understanding moderation and savoring the alcohol.
The second stage, “alcohol drinks alcohol,” expresses a state where alcohol calls for more alcohol—in other words, a situation where the more you drink, the more you want to drink. Here, human reason and alcohol’s temptation are in conflict, and self-control begins to waver.
The third stage, “alcohol drinks person,” shows a state of being completely dominated by alcohol. No longer does the human control the alcohol; instead, alcohol dominates and consumes the human.
This proverb is used as a warning at drinking occasions, teaching the importance of moderate drinking. It is particularly often used as advice for people who love alcohol or those who tend to drink too much. Even today, as words that clearly express the dangers of alcohol dependence, their meaning remains fully relevant.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of this proverb is not certain, but it is thought to have been passed down since around the Edo period when Japan’s drinking culture became deeply rooted.
These words expressed in a three-stage structure were probably born from experiences at taverns and banquets. People of that time keenly observed the changes in humans who drink alcohol and brilliantly put that process into words.
The cleverness of the expressions “Person drinks alcohol,” “alcohol drinks alcohol,” and “alcohol drinks person” lies in how the relationship between subject and object gradually reverses. Initially, the person is the subject and alcohol is the object; in the end, alcohol becomes the subject and the person becomes the object. This wordplay-like structure can be said to be an expressive technique that takes advantage of the characteristics of the Japanese language.
Also, in this era of Japan, alcohol was considered a sacred drink while also being entertainment for common people. Alcohol was indispensable at festivals and banquets, and people must have witnessed the dual nature of alcohol on a daily basis. It is presumed that within such a cultural background, this became established as a proverb that objectively viewed the relationship between alcohol and humans and sounded an alarm.
The fact that the sound of the words is easy to remember and has a structure that spreads easily by word of mouth is probably one of the reasons this proverb has been passed down for so long.
Interesting Facts
The interesting aspect of this proverb lies in the linguistic technique where the subject and object are gradually switched. It skillfully uses the Japanese particle “wo” and expresses completely different meanings while arranging three sentences of the same structure.
Many works related to alcohol using such wordplay remain in senryu and kyoka from the Edo period, showing how much people of that time loved both alcohol and words.
Usage Examples
- Looking at him, he’s truly a typical example of “Person drinks alcohol, alcohol drinks alcohol, alcohol drinks person”
- I was drinking enjoyably at first, but before I knew it, I was in the state of “alcohol drinks person”
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, this proverb has come to have deep meaning beyond mere warnings about drinking. This is because in today’s information society, we are exposed to the dangers of various forms of “addiction” other than alcohol.
Let’s consider SNS as an example. Initially, it’s a state of “person uses SNS,” using it for the purpose of gathering information and communicating with friends. However, it gradually becomes a state where “SNS calls for SNS,” and when you see one post, you get drawn into related content one after another. Finally, you fall into a state where “SNS dominates the person,” and you become unable to let go of your smartphone.
Addiction to games, gambling, shopping, and even work has a similar structure. It can be said that modern people live constantly alongside the risk of being “consumed” by something.
What’s particularly noteworthy is that modern objects of addiction are cleverly designed. App notification functions and recommendation systems intentionally create the state of “alcohol drinks alcohol.” Companies research human psychology and continuously develop mechanisms that increase addictiveness.
The reason this proverb remains important today is that the mechanism of addiction hasn’t fundamentally changed. The object has simply changed from alcohol to digital content, but the structure of humans being dominated by something remains the same.
When AI Hears This
Modern smartphone addiction perfectly traces these three stages. The first stage, “people drink alcohol,” represents our initial phase of enjoying social media. We use digital tools with clear purposes: connecting with friends, watching entertaining videos, and gathering information—maintaining full control over our digital consumption.
In the second stage, “alcohol drinks alcohol,” we witness the phenomenon where social media feeds itself. Viewing one post triggers an endless stream of related content, and before we know it, two hours have vanished. Algorithms skillfully manipulate our attention, exploiting the “just one more” psychology to extend our screen time. At this stage, we still maintain the illusion that we’re in control.
The final stage, “alcohol drinks people,” represents the terrifying state where digital tools dominate humans. We become unable to put down our smartphones, react reflexively to notification sounds, and prioritize online validation over real human relationships. Korean research has revealed that the brains of severe smartphone addicts show the same neurotransmitter abnormalities as those found in alcoholics.
The human weakness that people in the Edo period saw in alcohol has been amplified by digital technology in our modern era. The difference is that today’s “alcohol” sits in our hands 24/7, and our entire society is designed with this dependency as its foundation.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is “the importance of maintaining appropriate distance.” Everything initially feels enjoyable and beneficial. However, if you give yourself over too much to that enjoyment, there’s a danger that before you know it, you’ll find yourself on the side being dominated.
What’s important is to always be conscious of whether you’re holding the initiative. The time you spend looking at your smartphone, the frequency with which you check SNS, the amount of alcohol you drink, the time you devote to work. For all of these, reflect on whether you are choosing, or whether you’re being carried along by habits and impulses.
Modern society is full of temptations. But you don’t need to fear succumbing to those temptations. What’s important is cultivating the ability to objectively view your own state. Just having the habit of asking yourself “What am I about to be dominated by right now?” should prevent many problems before they occur.
This proverb is by no means denying alcohol or enjoyment. Rather, it teaches us that by continuing to maintain appropriate relationships, we can enjoy things for a long time. Please always keep the initiative of your life in your own hands.
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