ve a comer
/be a komeɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "go eat" is translated into Spanish as ve a comer.
This phrase is an imperative used to instruct someone to leave their current location to have a meal. If you specifically want to say "to have dinner," you would use the verb cenar.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative form of ir (to go), the preposition a (to) and the infinitive comer (to eat).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, people might say Vete a comer.
How does it change in a sentence?
Using the pronominal form vete instead of ve in the phrase vete a comer adds a sense of "get going" or "go away" to the command. To tell a group of people to go eat, use the plural imperative vayan in the phrase vayan a comer instead of the singular ve.
How do you pronounce it?
/be a komeɾ/
When do people say it?
It is customary in Spanish-speaking countries to say Buen provecho to wish someone a good meal.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the meal associated with comer is the comida, which is the main meal of the day and often eaten in the mid-afternoon rather than at noon.
- The word ve has a double history in Spanish. It can descend from the Latin verb for 'to see' or from the Latin verb for 'to go', depending on the specific grammatical context and evolution.
- While ve a comer is a command, Spanish speakers often use the phrase ¡A comer! on its own to announce that a meal is ready for everyone.
Examples in context
- Vaya a comer, buen provechoGo eat, enjoy your meal
- Ve a cenar, buen provechoGo have dinner, enjoy your meal
- Vaya a comer, por favorGo eat, please
- Ve a cenar, por favorGo have dinner, please
- Ve a comer ahora.Go eat now.
- Si ya terminaste, ve a comer.If you are already finished, go eat.
Example conversation
A mother tells her son to head to the dining room.
- LucíaMateo, la comida está lista.Mateo, the food is ready.
- MateoSolo un minuto, Lucía.Just one minute, Lucía.
- LucíaNo esperes más, ve a comer.Don't wait any longer, go eat.
- MateoEstá bien, ya voy.Alright, I'm going.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, comer, ve, CC BY-SA 4.0.
