How to Say "I Would Like a Beer" in Spanish

quisiera una cerveza

/kisjeɾa una θeɾbeθa/from spelling rules

In Spanish, 'I would like a beer' is said as quisiera una cerveza.

This phrase is a polite way to order a beer in a restaurant or bar. In many Spanish-speaking contexts, it is also very common and natural to skip the verb phrase entirely and simply say una cerveza, por favor (a beer, please).

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

While quisiera una cerveza is a polite standard, you can use more direct versions depending on the setting. For a more direct and less formal approach, you might say quiero una cerveza, por favor (I want a beer, please). In very casual settings, such as a bar, you might hear the informal Me pones una cerveza, por favor (Could you give me a beer, please?). For more formal requests, you can use Me gustaría una cerveza, por favor (I would like a beer, please) or even more polite inquiries like ¿Podría traerme una cerveza, por favor? (Could you bring me a beer, please?).

How does it change in a sentence?

The word quisiera is the imperfect subjunctive form of the verb querer (to want), and it is used here to express a polite wish.

How do you pronounce it?

/kisjeɾa una θeɾbeθa/

Did you know?

If you order una cerveza in Spain, the server might ask if you want it 'caña', 'riñón', or 'doble', referring to specific small glass sizes rather than just the quantity.
While cerveza is the standard word for beer, the term chela is widely used as a slang equivalent in Mexico and parts of Central America.
When using the phrase Me pones una cerveza, you are literally saying 'You put me a beer', which sounds grammatically strange in English but is a perfectly polite way to order in Spain.

Examples in context

Hola, buenos días. Me gustaría una cerveza, por favor.
Hello, good morning. I would like a beer, please.
¿Podría traerme una cerveza bien fría?
Could you bring me a cold beer, please?
Oye, amigo, me pones una cerveza?
Hey, buddy, could you give me a beer?
Hola, quisiera una cerveza bien fría.
Hello, I would like a very cold beer.
Disculpe, quisiera una cerveza artesanal.
Excuse me, I would like a craft beer.

Example conversation

Alejandro and Lucía are at a restaurant bar.

Alejandro

Hola, quisiera una cerveza, por favor.
Hello, I would like a beer, please.
Lucía

¿De qué marca la prefiere, Alejandro?
Which brand do you prefer, Alejandro?
Alejandro

Cualquier cerveza rubia está bien.
Any blonde beer is fine.
Lucía

Muy bien, se la traigo enseguida.
Very well, I'll bring it to you right away.

Sources

IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏

How to Say “I Would Like a Beer” in Spanish