‘醉驾’ literally combines 醉 (zuì, 'intoxicated' or 'drunk') and 驾 (jià, 'to drive' or 'to operate a vehicle'). Together, it specifically means 'drunk driving'—the illegal act of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. In China, this is a serious criminal offense with strict legal consequences, including license revocation, fines, detention, or even imprisonment, depending on blood alcohol concentration and circumstances.

The term is widely used in public safety campaigns, news reports, and traffic law enforcement contexts. It carries strong negative connotations and is never used casually or humorously. Unlike general terms like ‘酒后驾车’ (driving after drinking), ‘醉驾’ implies legally defined intoxication levels (typically ≥20 mg/100 mL blood alcohol content), making it a formal, technical term rooted in legislation rather than everyday speech.