Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| beber | /beˈbeɾ/ |
| tomar | /toˈmaɾ/ |
| abrevar | /abɾeˈbaɾ/ |
These verbs are used to describe the act of consuming liquid through the mouth. If you are referring to the liquid itself, you can use the feminine noun una bebida or the masculine noun un trago when referring to a specific alcoholic beverage or a single gulp.
Which one should you use?
While beber is the direct translation for 'to drink', tomar is much more common in everyday spoken Spanish, especially in Latin America and can mean both 'to drink' or 'to have' a beverage. In contrast, beber is often perceived as more formal or clinical and is frequently used when discussing the general act of drinking or alcohol consumption in a more serious context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, tomar is the standard verb for 'to drink' a beverage, whereas in Spain, beber is more frequently used for the same purpose. The slang term chupar is specific to Mexico.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/beˈbeɾ/
When do people say it?
When ordering or referring to a single serving of alcohol, such as a shot or a cocktail, speakers often use the terms trago, copa or alipús. Note that trago is informal and specifically refers to a single gulp or a specific alcoholic drink rather than the general act of drinking.
Did you know?
- While tomar means 'to drink', it is also the primary verb used for 'taking' medication or 'taking' a bus.
- The Mexican slang chupar literally means 'to suck', but it is used colloquially to mean 'to drink alcohol'.
- While beber is the standard term, the verb abrevar is used specifically when referring to animals drinking, such as cattle at a watering hole.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué va a tomar?What are you going to drink?This sentence is useful for asking what someone intends to drink using tomar.Tatoeba #2270693 by Shishir, translation #2259864 by _undertoad
- Él no solía beber.He didn't use to drink.This sentence is useful for describing a past habit of drinking using beber.Tatoeba #507162 by Shishir, translation #293524 by CK
- No lo dejen tomar.Don't let him drink.This sentence is useful for a command regarding someone's consumption using tomar.Tatoeba #5651077 by cueyayotl, translation #9360404 by DJ_Saidez
- ¿Le gustaría beber algo?Would you like to drink something?
- ¿Puedo tomar algo para beber?May I have something to drink?
- Vamos a tomar algoLet's have a drink.
- un vaso de agua para beberA glass of water to drink
- Quiero beber algo refrescanteI want to drink something refreshing.
- Vamos a tomar unas copas esta nocheLet's have a few drinks tonight.
- 329 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are at a restaurant.
- LucíaMateo, ¿qué quieres beber?Mateo, what do you want to drink?
- MateoQuiero beber un vaso de agua.I want to drink a glass of water.
- LucíaYo voy a beber un jugo.I am going to drink a juice.
- MateoPerfecto, Lucía. Pidamos ahora.Perfect, Lucía. Let's order now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “drink” translations and entries beber, tomar, abrevar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
