Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cerveza | /θeɾˈbeθa/ /seɾˈbesa/ |
feminine |
| sersia | /seɾsja/ (from spelling rules) | |
| servatina | /seɾbatina/ (from spelling rules) | |
| birra | /ˈbira/ | feminine |
| servantina | /seɾbantina/ (from spelling rules) | Honduras, feminine |
| chela | /ˈt͡ʃela/ | feminine |
All the terms in this list refer to an alcoholic drink made of malt. While cerveza is the standard term, other words are used depending on how casual you want to be and where you are located.
Which one should you use?
Use cerveza as the standard, neutral term. For a more casual or slangy tone when speaking with friends, you can use chela or birra.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Cerveza is the neutral, standard form. Chela and birra are informal or slang terms. In Puerto Rico, birra is a popular slang term and una fría is an informal way to refer to a beer.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Honduras, the term servantina is used. In Mexico and several other Latin American countries, chela is a common colloquialism. In Puerto Rico, cerveza is the most common word and birra is a popular slang term.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun cerveza is feminine and requires feminine articles such as la or una. The forms cerveza, birra, servantina and chela are all feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/θeɾˈbeθa/
When do people say it?
In Puerto Rico, be aware that the term malta refers to non-alcoholic malt beverages rather than beer.
Did you know?
- The word cerveza comes from the Latin cervēsia, a term used by Romans to describe the beer produced by the Celtic peoples.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is customary to clink glasses and look each other in the eyes when saying salud before drinking a cerveza.
- If you are in Italy, the word for beer is birra, which is the direct ancestor of the Spanish slang term birra used in places like Puerto Rico.
Examples in context
- Esa es mi cerveza.That's my beer.This sentence shows the use of cerveza to identify ownership.Tatoeba #4999490 by don_ramon, translation #2251090 by CK
- ¿Qué tal una chela?What do you say to a beer?This sentence demonstrates the use of the colloquialism chela in a question.Tatoeba #4566714 by cueyayotl, translation #34837 by CK
- Tom no bebe cerveza.Tom doesn't drink beer.This sentence shows the use of cerveza in a negative statement about drinking.Tatoeba #1386612 by marcelostockle, translation #1026201 by CK
- ¿Puede darme una cerveza, por favor?Could you give me a beer, please?
- Una Cerveza, Por Favora beer, please
- ¡Pásame una birra, por favor!Pass me a beer, please!
- Quiero una fría, gracias.I want a cold one, thank you.
- 277 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are at a bar.
- AlejandroElena, ¿quieres una cerveza?Elena, do you want a beer?
- ElenaSí, gracias, Alejandro.Yes, thanks, Alejandro.
- AlejandroEsta cerveza está muy fría.This beer is very cold.
- ElenaEs perfecta para hoy.It is perfect for today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beer” translations and entries cerveza, birra, chela, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries birra, cerveza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
