Ivre vs. saoul vs. soûl

Word practice demo
When discussing the state of intoxication in French, three words 'ivre', 'saoul', and 'soûl' are often used. While they share similar meanings, there are subtle differences in their usage and connotations, which may be reflected in different contexts. Understanding these can help in using them appropriately in conversation or writing.

Ivre

'Ivre' is a formal term that describes the state of being drunk or inebriated. It can have a neutral to slightly poetic or literary tone.
Il est devenu ivre après seulement deux verres de vin.
(He became drunk after only two glasses of wine.)
La foule était ivre de bonheur après la victoire de l'équipe nationale.
(The crowd was intoxicated with happiness after the national team's victory.)

Saoul

'Saoul' is an informal and commonly used term for the state of being drunk. It has a more casual and day-to-day usage compared to 'ivre'.
Elle ne se souvient de rien; elle était complètement saoule hier soir.
(She doesn't remember anything; she was completely drunk last night.)
Ils chantent fort et dansent dans les rues parce qu'ils sont saouls.
(They sing loudly and dance in the streets because they are drunk.)

Soûl

'Soûl' is an alternative spelling of 'saoul', often seen as outdated or less common, but it retains the same meaning and usage as 'saoul'. The Académie française prefers this spelling, though it is less popular in contemporary French.
Après la fête, il était tellement soûl qu'il ne pouvait pas marcher droit.
(After the party, he was so drunk that he couldn't walk straight.)
Je ne veux plus jamais te voir soûl comme ça.
(I never want to see you that drunk again.)

Summary

In summary, while 'ivre', 'saoul', and 'soûl' all mean 'drunk' in French, 'ivre' carries a more formal or literary feel, whereas 'saoul' (and its less commonly used orthographic variant 'soûl') is more informal and typically used in everyday language. To accurately grasp and convey nuances in French, one should select the most appropriate word based on context and desired tone of communication.