What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb consigue (get/obtain), the indirect object pronoun me (for me) and the noun comida (food).
Which one should you use?
The verb conseguir implies the effort of obtaining or finding something, whereas using the verb traer implies the act of bringing something that is already available.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In a restaurant or when speaking to a stranger, it is more polite to use the formal tráigame comida (bring me food) rather than consígueme comida.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the definite article la before comida to create consígueme la comida changes the meaning from a general request for any food to a request for a specific food that has already been mentioned. To soften the command to mean "get me some food", you can add un poco de (a little bit of) before the noun to say consígueme un poco de comida.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word comida refers specifically to the main meal of the day eaten in the afternoon rather than food in general.
- Spanish speakers can change the meaning of the command consígueme into a soft, indirect request simply by using a rising intonation at the end of the phrase.
- The word comida shares the same Latin ancestor as the English word 'comestible'.
Examples in context
- ¿Puede traerme comida, por favor?Can you bring me food, please?
- Me gustaría que me trajera algo de comida.I would like you to bring me some food.
- Tráeme comida, por favor.Bring me food, please.
- Dame comida, por favorGive me food, please.
- Consígueme comida, por favor.Get me food, please.
- Si vas al súper, consígueme comida.If you go to the supermarket, get me food.
- Consígueme comida para el camino.Get me food for the road.
Example conversation
Alejandro is working late at the office and asks María to help him.
- AlejandroMaría, consígueme comida cuando regreses.María, get me food when you return.
- MaríaEstá bien, ¿quieres algo en especial?Okay, do you want something special?
- AlejandroSolo un sándwich está bien.Just a sandwich is fine.
- MaríaTe lo traeré pronto.I will bring it to you soon.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries comida, CC BY-SA 4.0.
