tomar leche
/tomaɾ let͡ʃe/from spelling rules
To drink milk in Spanish is tomar leche.
This phrase is used to describe the act of consuming milk as a liquid beverage.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb tomar, which means to take or to drink and the noun leche, which means milk.
Which one should you use?
While beber leche specifically means to drink milk, tomar leche is much more common in many Spanish-speaking regions when referring to consuming beverages.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, Bébete la leche. is a common way to say "drink the milk" in a familiar way.
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking about milk in a general sense, the definite article la is often used with the noun, as in la leche. To express the continuous action of drinking milk, use the gerund tomando leche. If you want to say "I drank milk" in the first-person singular preterite, use tomé leche.
How do you pronounce it?
/tomaɾ letʃe/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, the phrase tomar leche can be used as a slang term for having sexual intercourse.
- In Spain, the expression darse una leche does not refer to drinking milk, but rather to having a violent fall or a car accident.
- The Spanish word leche is used in many idioms to describe speed or luck, such as a toda leche meaning 'at full speed'.
Examples in context
- Los niños deberían tomar leche todos los días.Children should drink milk every day.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase tomar leche.Tatoeba #2397688 by Shishir, translation #245992 by CK
- Tome leche todas las mañanas para fortalecer los huesos.Drink milk every morning to strengthen your bones.
- Es importante que usted tome leche regularmente para mantener una buena salud.It is important for you to drink milk regularly to maintain good health.
- Toma leche antes de dormir para conciliar el sueño más rápidamente.Drink milk before sleeping to fall asleep faster.
- ¿Ya tomaste leche hoy? Es importante para tu crecimiento.Have you already drunk milk today? It's important for your growth.
- Bébete la leche caliente antes de acostarte.Drink the warm milk before going to bed.
- No te olvides de beberte la leche para crecer sano y fuerte.Don't forget to drink the milk to grow healthy and strong.
- Quiero tomar leche fría.I want to drink cold milk.
- Ella prefiere tomar leche en el desayuno.She prefers to drink milk at breakfast.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are preparing breakfast together.
- JavierLucía, ¿quieres tomar leche caliente?Lucía, do you want to drink hot milk?
- LucíaNo, gracias, prefiero tomar café.No, thanks, I prefer to drink coffee.
- JavierEstá bien, yo voy a tomar leche.That's fine, I am going to drink milk.
- LucíaPerfecto, Javier, sirve el desayuno.Perfect, Javier, serve breakfast.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
