¿Me da agua, por favor?
The English phrase "can I have water, please?" can be said in Spanish as ¿Me da agua, por favor?
In this context, agua means "water" and por favor means "please". The verb tomar translates to "to drink" but can also mean "to have" in the context of asking for water.
Which one should you use?
While ¿Me da agua, por favor? (give me) is common, using the verb traer (to bring) in ¿Me trae agua, por favor? is a very common alternative in restaurants.
How does it change in a sentence?
Using ¿Me das agua, por favor? instead of ¿Me da agua…? changes the verb from the formal usted to the informal tú form.
Did you know?
- The word agua is grammatically feminine, but in the phrase el agua, the masculine article is used to avoid the phonetic clash between two 'a' sounds.
- In some regions, people might reply to a request for water by saying está bien or claro, but in others, they might use marchando, which literally means 'marching' and indicates the order is on its way.
- The word agua shares a prehistoric root with the English word 'ea', an archaic term for a river or stream.
Examples in context
- Sí, enseguida.Yes, right away.
Example conversation
Alejandro is at a restaurant and asks the waitress for water.
- AlejandroHola, ¿me da agua, por favor?Hello, can I have water, please?
- SofíaClaro que sí, enseguida le traigo un vaso.Of course, I'll bring you a glass right away.
- AlejandroMuchas gracias, Sofía.Thank you very much, Sofia.
- SofíaDe nada, Alejandro.You're welcome, Alejandro.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries agua, favor, me, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
