Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cerveza | /θeɾˈbeθa/ /seɾˈbesa/ |
feminine |
| sersia | /seɾsja/ (from spelling rules) | |
| servatina | /seɾbatina/ (from spelling rules) | |
| birra | /ˈbira/ | feminine |
| servantina | /seɾbantina/ (from spelling rules) | Honduras, feminine |
| chela | /ˈt͡ʃela/ | feminine |
The primary way to refer to the alcoholic drink made of malt is cerveza. Depending on the region and social setting, other slang terms like birra or chela are also used.
Which one should you use?
While cerveza is the standard and most widely understood term, chela and birra are used in casual, social settings. In some regions of Latin America, particularly Argentina and Chile, rubia is used to refer to a light-colored beer, often a lager. In Spain, clara is a colloquial term for a beer mixed with lemon soda or another carbonated beverage.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
birra and chela are informal slang terms.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word chela is a common slang term for beer in Mexico and several other Latin American countries. birra is a popular slang term for beer in Argentina and Uruguay. The term servantina is a regionalism used specifically in Honduras to refer to beer.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun cerveza is feminine, so it is used with the feminine article la.
How do you pronounce it?
/θeɾˈbeθa/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, ordering a caña refers specifically to a small glass of draft beer, which is the standard way to enjoy a drink at a tapas bar.
- The word birra used in Spanish is actually a linguistic traveler that originated in Germany, moved to Italy, and was eventually adopted into Spanish.
- In Mexico, the term chela is so common that it has spawned the verb chelear, which means the act of going out to drink beers with friends.
Examples in context
- Esa es mi cerveza.That's my beer.This sentence shows the use of cerveza to identify ownership.Tatoeba #4999490 by don_ramon, translation #2251090 by CK
- ¿Qué tal una chela?What do you say to a beer?This sentence demonstrates the use of the slang term chela in a question.Tatoeba #4566714 by cueyayotl, translation #34837 by CK
- Tom no bebe cerveza.Tom doesn't drink beer.This sentence shows the use of cerveza in a negative statement.Tatoeba #1386612 by marcelostockle, translation #1026201 by CK
- Me gustaría una cerveza, por favor.I would like a beer, please.
- ¿Tiene algún tipo de cerveza artesanal?Do you have any craft beer?
- Voy a tomar una birra en el bar.I am going to have a beer at the bar.
- Vamos por unas chelas.Let's go for some beers.
- ¿Me puedes traer una chela bien fría, por favor?Can you bring me a cold beer, please?
- ¿Puedo pedir una clara, por favor?Can I order a beer mixed with soda, please?
- Me encanta el sabor refrescante de una clara bien preparada.I love the refreshing taste of a well-made clara.
- Me gustaría probar una rubia bien fría.I would like to try a nice cold blonde beer.
- ¿Tienes alguna marca de rubia artesanal?Do you have any craft blonde beer?
- 277 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are at a restaurant.
- LucíaMateo, ¿quieres una cerveza?Mateo, do you want a beer?
- MateoSí, gracias Lucía.Yes, thanks Lucía.
- LucíaEsta cerveza está muy fría.This beer is very cold.
- MateoEs perfecta para este calor.It is perfect for this heat.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beer” translations and entries cerveza, birra, chela, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
