elaborar
/elaboˈɾaɾ/
The English verb "brew" can be translated into Spanish in several ways depending on the context, with the default form being elaborar. Wiktionary also lists confeccionar and cebar.
Meaning: make tea or coffee (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| elaborar | /elaboˈɾaɾ/ |
| confeccionar | /konfeɡθjoˈnaɾ/ /konfeɡsjoˈnaɾ/ |
| cebar | /θeˈbaɾ/ /seˈbaɾ/ |
| colar | /koˈlaɾ/ |
| cocer | /koˈθeɾ/ /koˈseɾ/ |
In everyday conversation, people most commonly use the verb hacer (to make) to say they are brewing coffee or tea, such as in the expression hacer café.
Which one should you use?
The different Spanish forms serve specific purposes: elaborar is a general term for making or processing. cebar is the specific verb used for the act of brewing tea or preparing mate. colar refers specifically to the step of straining or filtering the liquid. And infusionar specifically refers to brewing through the process of infusing, mainly used when discussing tea.
How do you pronounce it?
/elaboˈɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb cebar is used specifically for brewing mate, a traditional South American drink, but it can also mean to fatten up livestock for slaughter.
- While elaborar means to brew or process, it is also used in Spanish to describe the act of creating a complex plan or a detailed lie.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the way you cebar mate is a highly ritualized social gesture that defines the interaction between the host and the guest.
Examples in context
- ¿Cómo preparas tu café?How do you brew your coffee?
- Vamos a hacer café esta tarde.Let's brew coffee this afternoon.
- ¿Preparas el té con agua fría o caliente?Do you brew your tea with cold or hot water?
- Quiero preparar un té helado de durazno.I want to brew a peach iced tea.
- Me gusta hacer café en la prensa francesa.I enjoy brewing coffee in a French press.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are in the kitchen in the morning.
- JavierHola Elena, ¿quieres que yo elabore el café?Hi Elena, do you want me to brew the coffee?
- ElenaSí, por favor, Javier.Yes, please, Javier.
- JavierLo voy a elaborar ahora mismo.I am going to brew it right now.
- ElenaMuchas gracias, me vendría muy bien.Thank you very much, I could really use some.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brew” translations and entries elaborar, confeccionar, cebar, colar, cocer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
