trago
informal, common
The everyday informal word for alcoholic drink is trago. Regional slang includes chupe in parts of South America and guaro, which in Costa Rica and Colombia means liquor. It is also called alcohol.
Meaning: alcoholic drink, informal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| trago | informal, common |
| alcohol | neutral |
| chupe | slang, Peru, Chile |
| guaro | slang, Central America, Colombia |
Tomar un trago means to have a drink. Friends say vamos por unos tragos when heading out.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Guaro refers to cane liquor in Costa Rica and Colombia. Chupe is heard in Peru, Chile and Bolivia, but not everywhere, and its meaning varies in other countries.
What mistakes should you avoid?
The standard word alcohol refers to the substance. For a drink in a bar use trago or bebida.
Did you know?
- The word trago literally means a gulp or swallow, which is how it came to mean a drink.
Examples in context
- ¿Vamos a tomar un trago?Shall we go have a drink?
- Anoche tomamos demasiado trago.Last night we drank too much.
- En la fiesta había mucho guaro.There was a lot of liquor at the party.
Example conversation
Fabián invites his coworker Gloria out on Friday.
- FabiánGloria, ¿vamos por un trago después del trabajo?Gloria, shall we get a drink after work?
- GloriaClaro, pero solo uno.Sure, but just one.
- FabiánTrato hecho.Deal.
