alcohol
standard
In Mexican Spanish "alcohol" is alcohol, and alcoholic drinks are bebidas alcohólicas. Mexicans call a beer a chela in casual talk.
Meaning: beer, wine and spirits, or the substance in them (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| alcohol | standard |
| bebidas alcohólicas | neutral |
| chela | slang, Mexico |
Alcohol also means the disinfectant sold in pharmacies. To go out drinking, Mexicans say ir a tomar, and un trago is a drink.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Chela is slang for beer in Mexico, and chupar is a rough slang verb for drinking alcohol. Use tomar to stay polite.
Did you know?
- In Mexico the pharmacy product called alcohol is rubbing alcohol, so asking for alcohol there does not mean a drink.
Examples in context
- No como alcohol.I do not drink alcohol.
- ¿Vamos por unas chelas?Shall we get some beers?
- Aquí no se venden bebidas alcohólicas.Alcoholic drinks are not sold here.
Example conversation
Luis and his coworker Carmen leave the office on Friday.
- LuisCarmen, ¿vamos a tomar algo?Carmen, shall we get a drink?
- CarmenYo no tomo alcohol, pero voy por un refresco.I do not drink alcohol, but I will go for a soda.
- LuisVa, conozco un lugar cerca.Deal, I know a place nearby.
