烈酒 (lièjiǔ): strong alcoholic drink

Measure Word

一瓶烈酒 píng

他不能喝烈酒。

Tā bùnéng hē lièjiǔ.

He can't drink spirits.

白酒是中国最有名的烈酒。

Báijiǔ shì Zhōngguó zuì yǒumíng de lièjiǔ.

Baijiu is China's most famous hard liquor.

memory

烈 (fierce/intense) + 酒 (alcohol) = fierce alcohol, i.e. strong spirits. Compare with 美酒 (fine wine).

烈 liè

酒 jiǔ