graduación alcohólica
/ɡɾadwaθjon alkoolika/from spelling rules
In Spanish, alcohol proof is expressed as graduación alcohólica.
This phrase refers to the measurement of the percentage of alcohol in an alcoholic beverage. While graduación alcohólica is the standard term, you will often see or hear people use % de alcohol (percentage of alcohol) on product labels and in casual conversation. It is also common to use the verb tener to indicate the alcohol content, such as in the phrase Esta bebida tiene un 40% de alcohol (This drink has 40% alcohol).
What does it mean word for word?
The term graduación alcohólica literally translates to "alcoholic graduation," where graduación refers to a graduation or a degree on a graduated scale of measurement.
Which one should you use?
While graduación alcohólica is the general term, you can use grado de alcohol etílico to explicitly refer to the percentage of alcohol. Grado alcohólico is also a way to express this concept.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the term probidad de alcohol. Although probidad can be a translation for "proof" in other contexts, it means integrity or probity and is incorrect when referring to the strength of alcohol.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word graduación is used for both the alcohol content of a beverage and the ceremony where a student receives a diploma.
- Spanish speakers use the word grados to describe alcohol strength in the same way they use it to measure temperature.
- If you call a drink 'probidad de alcohol', you are not describing its strength, but rather claiming the liquid possesses high moral integrity.
Examples in context
- La graduación alcohólica de este vino es baja.The alcohol proof of this wine is low.
- ¿Puedes revisar la graduación alcohólica en la etiqueta?Can you check the alcohol proof on the label?
- Ese licor tiene una graduación alcohólica muy alta.That liquor has a very high alcohol proof.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are looking at a bottle of spirits in a store.
- AlejandroSofía, ¿sabes cuál es la graduación alcohólica de esto?Sofía, do you know the alcohol proof of this?
- SofíaDéjame ver… es bastante fuerte, Alejandro.Let me see… it is quite strong, Alejandro.
- AlejandroLa graduación alcohólica parece ser del cuarenta por ciento.The alcohol proof seems to be forty percent.
- SofíaEs verdad, es un destilado potente.It's true, it is a potent distillate.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
