Necesito beber agua
/neθesito bebeɾ aɡwa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I need to drink water" is translated into Spanish as Necesito beber agua.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Necesito (I need), beber (to drink) and agua (water).
Which one should you use?
While beber is the standard verb for drinking, tomar is a very common alternative used in many Spanish-speaking regions to mean 'to drink' or 'to consume'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify an amount like 'a little water', you add un poco de before the noun agua, as in Necesito beber un poco de agua.
How do you pronounce it?
/neθesito bebeɾ aɡwa/
Did you know?
- The word agua is a feminine noun, yet you must use the masculine article el when saying 'the water' as el agua to avoid a clashing sound between two 'a' sounds.
- If you describe someone as a bebedor, you are likely calling them a heavy drinker or an alcoholic rather than someone who simply drinks water.
- The English word 'ea', an archaic term for a river or stream, shares the same Proto-Indo-European root as the Spanish word agua.
Examples in context
- Necesito beber agua.I need to drink water.Tatoeba #10056870 by DJ_Saidez, translation #10056871 by DJ_Saidez
- Disculpe, ¿podría tomar un vaso de agua?Excuse me, could I have a glass of water?
- ¡Tengo sed! ¡Necesito beber agua ya!I'm thirsty! I need to drink water now!
- Necesito beber agua después de correr.I need to drink water after running.
- Si tengo sed, necesito beber agua.If I am thirsty, I need to drink water.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are hiking on a sunny day.
- AlejandroHace mucho calor y necesito beber agua.It is very hot and I need to drink water.
- LucíaYo también, tengo mi botella aquí.Me too, I have my bottle here.
- Alejandro¿Puedes pasarme tu botella, Lucía?Can you pass me your bottle, Lucía?
- LucíaClaro, aquí tienes.Of course, here you go.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries agua, beber, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
