tomar cerveza
/tomaɾ θeɾbeθa/from spelling rules
To drink beer in Spanish is tomar cerveza.
The phrase is used to describe the consumption of a beer beverage. The verb tomar is highly versatile and is used in many Spanish-speaking regions to mean both 'to take' (such as an object or transport) and 'to drink' (liquids).
Which one should you use?
While tomar cerveza is very common, beber cerveza is a more direct and slightly more formal way to express the act of drinking.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different regions have specific slang for drinking beer. In Spain, tomar una caña and beber una caña refer to drinking a small draft beer. In Mexico, you can use the slang phrases echarse una chela or chuparse una chela. In Argentina, the idiomatic expression mandarse una birra is used to describe the act of drinking beer.
How do you pronounce it?
/tomaɾ θeɾbeθa/
Did you know?
- In Argentina, the word birra is used informally for beer, a term borrowed from the Italian word 'birra' due to the heavy Italian immigration to the region.
- The Mexican slang chela for beer is widely believed to be a corruption of chelada, a popular beer cocktail mixed with lime and salt.
- While tomar cerveza is the standard phrase, in some regions, the act of drinking is associated with the gesture of brindar, where glasses must clink to avoid bad luck.
Examples in context
- No creo que los niños deberían tomar cerveza.I don't think children should drink beer.This sentence is useful for expressing an opinion about children and drinking beer.Tatoeba #1305587 by marcelostockle, translation #953432 by CK
- ¿Por qué no podemos tomar cerveza en el parque?Why can't we drink beer in the park?This sentence is useful for asking for permission to drink beer in a specific location.Tatoeba #12291570 by Serrot, translation #12291569 by CK
- No puedo tomar cerveza.I can't drink beer.This sentence is useful for stating an inability to drink beer.Tatoeba #11664323 by 0987654321ok, translation #8170408 by lucasmg123
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are meeting at a bar after work.
- AlejandroHola Lucía, ¿quieres tomar cerveza?Hi Lucía, do you want to drink beer?
- LucíaSí, me encantaría tomar cerveza ahora.Yes, I would love to drink beer now.
- AlejandroPerfecto, yo invito la primera ronda.Perfect, I'll pay for the first round.
- LucíaMuchas gracias, Alejandro.Thank you very much, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
