Which one should you use?
The form trae tu propia bebida is used when speaking to one person informally, while traiga su propia bebida is used for one person in a formal setting. If you are addressing a group of people, you should use traigan su propia bebida or traigan sus propias bebidas. Additionally, the infinitive traer tu propia bebida can be used as a noun phrase when listing instructions or rules.
How does it change in a sentence?
The choice of verb form depends on the level of formality and the number of people being addressed. The informal imperative trae is used for friends and family, whereas the formal imperative traiga is appropriate for professional or respectful settings. To address a group (plural "you"), use the plural imperative traigan.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾae tu pɾopja bebida/
Did you know?
- While bebida means 'drink', in some Latin American contexts, asking for a bebida specifically implies a non-alcoholic beverage, as alcoholic drinks are often called tragos.
- Spanish speakers often avoid the direct phrasing of trae tu propia bebida by using the idiomatic expression cada uno trae lo suyo, meaning 'each one brings their own'.
- If a Spanish invitation mentions traer algo para compartir, the guest is expected to bring a snack or drink for the whole group rather than just for themselves.
Examples in context
- Es una cena compartida, así que traigamos cada uno nuestras bebidasThis is a shared dinner, so let's each bring our own beverages
- Será una parrillada y cada uno trae sus propias bebidasIt'll be a barbecue, and everyone brings their own drinks
- Vamos a jugar a juegos de mesa. Sería genial si traen sus propias bebidasWe're going to play board games. It would be great if you bring your own drinks
- No habrá refrescos, por favor trae tu propia bebida.There won't be sodas, please bring your own drink.
Example conversation
Lucía is inviting Javier to a house party.
- LucíaHola Javier, ¿vienes a mi fiesta el sábado?Hi Javier, are you coming to my party on Saturday?
- JavierSí, me encantaría ir. ¿Qué llevo?Yes, I would love to go. What should I bring?
- LucíaNo necesitas traer comida, pero trae tu propia bebida.You don't need to bring food, but bring your own drink.
- JavierPerfecto, llevaré unas cervezas.Perfect, I'll bring some beers.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
