ir a almorzar
/iɾ a almoɾθaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "going to lunch" is translated into Spanish as ir a almorzar.
This phrase is used to describe the action of leaving a place specifically to consume the midday meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb ir (to go), the preposition a (to) and the infinitive almorzar (to lunch/to eat lunch).
Which one should you use?
While ir a almorzar specifically refers to the midday meal, ir a comer is a very common alternative used in many Spanish-speaking countries to mean the same thing.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Voy a echarme el lonche is a popular way to say I'm going to have lunch in Mexico.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'I am going to lunch' in the present continuous sense, you conjugate the verb 'ir' to the first person singular 'voy'. To say 'we are going to lunch', use the first person plural form of 'ir', which is 'vamos'.
How do you pronounce it?
/iɾ a almoɾθaɾ/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the midday meal is the main event of the day and happens much later than the typical English 'lunch' time.
- The verb almorzar is derived from the Latin admordēre, which literally means 'to bite at'.
- While almorzar specifically refers to the midday meal, it can refer to a second breakfast in some Latin American countries.
Examples in context
- Tengo que ir a almorzar ahora.I have to go to lunch now.
- ¿Quieres ir a almorzar conmigo?Do you want to go to lunch with me?
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking in an office before their break.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿quieres ir a almorzar?Daniel, do you want to go to lunch?
- DanielSí, Lucía, tengo mucha hambre.Yes, Lucía, I am very hungry.
- LucíaPerfecto, vamos a la cafetería.Perfect, let's go to the cafeteria.
- DanielMuy bien, voy después de este correo.Very well, I'll go after this email.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, almorzar, ir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
