comer
neutral, Mexico
The verb "eat" is comer in Mexico. A friendly way to ask is ¿ya comiste?, meaning "have you eaten yet?" It is also called echarse unos tacos and almorzar.
Meaning: to take food (verb)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| comer | neutral, Mexico |
| echarse unos tacos | colloquial |
| almorzar | less common |
Use comer for any meal. In Mexico la comida is also the large midday meal, usually in the afternoon, so ir a comer often means lunch.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Almorzar is understood but is used less in Mexico than in other countries. Mexicans often say desayunar for breakfast, comer for lunch and cenar for dinner.
When do people say it?
People who see others eating say buen provecho. In Mexico it is said to people at the next table and to those you pass.
Did you know?
- The question ¿ya comiste? is a caring greeting among Mexican families, as much as a question about food.
Examples in context
- ¿Ya comiste?Have you eaten yet?
- Vamos a comer tacos.Let us go eat tacos.
- Buen provecho.Enjoy your meal.
Example conversation
Armando meets his friend Joaquín at noon in Tlaxcala.
- Armando¿Ya comiste, Joaquín?Have you eaten yet, Joaquín?
- JoaquínTodavía no. ¿Vamos a comer?Not yet. Shall we go eat?
- ArmandoSí, conozco un lugar de tacos.Yes, I know a taco place.
