comer
/koˈmeɾ/
The English verb 'eat' is translated into Spanish as comer. Wiktionary also lists manducar and papear.
Meaning: eat a meal (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| comer | /koˈmeɾ/ | |
| manducar | /manduˈkaɾ/ | |
| papear | /papeˈaɾ/ | |
| manyar | /manˈʝaɾ/ | Latin America |
The primary way to express the act of eating a meal is with the verb comer.
Which one should you use?
While comer is the standard term, you may encounter manducar or papear in specific contexts. Zampar is a colloquial way to say 'to dig in'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, the word manyar is used. In the Canary Islands, papear is a common way to say 'to eat'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'I ate', use the first-person singular preterite form comí. To express the continuous action of 'eating', use the gerund comiendo.
How do you pronounce it?
/koˈmeɾ/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, comer can be used metaphorically to describe a long, tedious lecture or a reprimand from a superior.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, comer is used not just for the act of eating, but specifically to refer to the midday meal, which is the main meal of the day.
- The word manyar did not come directly from Latin to Spanish but traveled through Italian as mangiare before being borrowed.
Examples in context
- No vas a comer.You're not going to eat.This sentence uses comer to express a future negative action.Tatoeba #4767299 by cueyayotl, translation #4767440 by rebeccadeho
- Te voy a comer.I'm gonna eat you.Tatoeba #9993364 by arh, translation #11324247 by Luornu
- Me voy a comer.I'm about to eat.This sentence uses comer to express an immediate intention to eat.Tatoeba #12892824 by ecorralest101, translation #3665189 by CK
- Por favor, puede usted comer en la mesa.Please, can you eat at the table?
- El médico me recomendó ingerir más frutas y verduras.The doctor recommended that I ingest more fruits and vegetables.
- Vamos a comer pizza esta noche.Let's eat pizza tonight.
- Me encanta cuando zampamos en el picnic.I love it when we dig in during picnics.
- 897 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are deciding on lunch plans.
- JavierElena, ¿quieres comer conmigo?Elena, do you want to eat with me?
- ElenaSí, Javier, tengo mucha hambre.Yes, Javier, I am very hungry.
- JavierPodemos comer una pizza.We can eat a pizza.
- ElenaMe parece una buena idea.That sounds like a good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eat” translations and entries comer, manducar, papear, manyar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries comer, manducar, manyar, papear, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
