dame una cerveza
/dame una θeɾbeθa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "give me a beer" is translated into Spanish as dame una cerveza.
This phrase is a request used to ask someone to provide a beer.
What does it mean word for word?
The word dame is a combination of the imperative verb da (give) and the indirect object pronoun me (me). The phrase una cerveza means "a beer". Because cerveza is a feminine noun, the indefinite article una is used instead of the masculine un.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
dame una cerveza is informal and direct. In a polite setting like a restaurant, it is more common to use me das una cerveza or me pone una cerveza. Other formal ways to request a beer include ¿Me podría dar una cerveza, por favor?, Quisiera pedir una cerveza, si es posible or Perdone, ¿me serviría una cerveza, por favor?
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase dame una cerveza uses the informal imperative (*tú*) form of the verb dar.
How do you pronounce it?
/dame una θeɾbeθa/
Did you know?
- If you are in a bar in Spain, you might hear someone ask for 'una caña', which refers to a small glass of beer rather than a full bottle or can.
- While 'cerveza' is the standard word, in some Latin American countries like Mexico, people may simply ask for 'una chela' using popular slang.
- If you use the direct command dame in a restaurant, you might unintentionally sound aggressive or rude to the waiter, even without any anger in your voice.
Examples in context
- Dame una cerveza.Give me a beer.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase dame una cerveza.Tatoeba #5714409 by Tono, translation #2250329 by CK
- ¿Podría traerme una cerveza, por favor?Could you bring me a beer, please?
- Quisiera una cerveza bien fría, por favor.I would like a nice cold beer, please.
- Oye, dame una birra, ¿vale?Hey, give me a beer, okay?
- ¿Me echas una caña, por favor?Can you pour me a beer, please?
- Dame una cerveza bien fría, por favor.Give me a very cold beer, please.
- Oye, dame una cerveza cuando vuelvas.Hey, give me a beer when you get back.
Example conversation
At a casual bar during a sunny afternoon.
- MaríaJavier, dame una cerveza, por favor.Javier, give me a beer, please.
- Javier¿Quieres una artesanal o una normal?Do you want a craft one or a regular one?
- MaríaUna normal está bien para mí.A regular one is fine for me.
- JavierMuy bien, ahora mismo te la traigo.Very well, I will bring it to you right away.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
