What does it mean word for word?
The phrase de un trago literally means in one gulp or in one swallow.
Which one should you use?
Beber de un tirón is an informal way to say "drink in one go." If you want to emphasize the act of swallowing, you can use the informal expression Tragarse de un solo trago, which means "swallow in one gulp." For a more colloquial tone, you can use Zamparse de un plumazo, which means "gulp down in one move."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase Beber de un tirón is informal, while Tragarse de un solo trago is also informal. Zamparse de un plumazo is considered colloquial. If you are looking for slang, fondo blanco is used specifically as a command.
How do you pronounce it?
/bebeɾ de un tɾaɡo/
When do people say it?
If you are in a social setting and want to command someone to chug their drink, the slang expression fondo blanco is commonly used, similar to saying "bottoms up."
Did you know?
- If you are using the slang command fondo blanco to tell someone to chug, you are literally telling them to reach the 'white bottom' of the glass.
- The word trago is a relative of the English word 'tragus', which refers to the small flap of cartilage in the human ear.
- If you use the phrase beber de un tirón, you are using a metaphor that compares drinking to pulling or dragging something in one continuous motion.
Examples in context
- Durante la reunión de negocios, el ejecutivo bebió de un solo trago su taza de caféDuring the business meeting, the executive chugged his cup of coffee in one gulp
- Tomamos cervezas y él las bebió de un tirónWe had some beers, and he chugged them in one go
- Después de completar la carrera, los corredores se hidrataron bebiendo de un tirón grandes cantidades de aguaAfter completing the race, the runners rehydrated by chugging large amounts of water in one go
- Tragó la bebida de un solo trago y luego pidió otraHe chugged the drink in one gulp and then asked for another one
- Sin pensarlo dos veces, se zampó de un plumazo el licorWithout thinking twice, he chugged down the liquor in one move
- Los amigos se reunieron en el bar y se zamparon de un plumazo las jarras de cervezaThe friends gathered at the bar and chugged down the pints of beer in one move
- Él puede beber de un trago toda la botella.He can chug the whole bottle.
- No te apresures a beber de un trago.Don't rush to chug it all at once.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are at a party with drinks.
- DanielMira cómo Juan puede beber de un trago su refresco.Look how Juan can chug his soda.
- MaríaEso es impresionante, pero muy arriesgado.That is impressive, but very risky.
- Daniel¿Quieres intentar beber de un trago tu vaso, María?Do you want to try to chug your glass, María?
- MaríaNo, prefiero tomarlo despacio.No, I prefer to drink it slowly.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries beber, de, trago, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
