¿puedo ir a tomar agua?
In Spanish, the phrase 'can I go get some water' is translated as ¿puedo ir a tomar agua?
This phrase is a polite request used to ask for permission to leave a room or an area for the purpose of drinking water.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ¿puedo ir a tomar agua? literally translates to 'Can I go to drink water?' because Spanish speakers use the verb tomar (to take/drink) rather than a verb for 'getting' in this context.
Which one should you use?
Using tomar (to drink) is more natural in Spanish than using a verb for 'getting' or 'fetching' when the intent is to consume the water. For a shorter, more colloquial version, you can say ¿Puedo ir por agua?
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb poder (to be able to/can) is conjugated in the first person singular puedo to express the speaker's request.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word agua is feminine, but it uses the masculine article el in the singular el agua to avoid a clashing sound with the stressed 'a' at the start of the word.
- The verb tomar can mean both 'to drink' and 'to take', which is why in many Spanish-speaking countries you can use the same word to order a drink or to take a taxi.
- The verb ir used in the phrase comes from the Latin 'īre', but the conjugated form voy actually comes from a different Latin root, 'vādere'.
Examples in context
- Tengo sed, ¿puedo ir a tomar agua?I'm thirsty, can I go get some water?
- Si me permites, ¿puedo ir a tomar agua?If you allow me, can I go get some water?
Example conversation
During a long meeting at the office.
- LucíaJavier, ¿puedo ir a tomar agua?Javier, can I go get some water?
- JavierSí, Lucía, no hay problema.Yes, Lucía, no problem.
- LucíaGracias, vuelvo enseguida.Thank you, I'll be right back.
- JavierDe nada, no tardes.You're welcome, don't be long.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, agua, ir, tomar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
