¿qué vamos a comer?
/ˈke ˈbamos a koˈmeɾ/word by word
The English phrase "what are we going to eat?" is translated into Spanish as ¿qué vamos a comer?
This phrase is a question used to ask about the planned meal or food choice for the near future.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ¿qué vamos a comer? is a literal translation of the English structure: qué means "what", vamos a means "we are going to" and comer means "to eat".
Which one should you use?
¿qué vamos a echarnos al buche? is an informal and humorous way to ask 'What are we going to eat?' and ¿qué vamos a zampar? specifically asks "what are we going to gobble up?"
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, ¿qué vamos a zampar? is an informal way to ask "what are we going to gobble up?"
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈke ˈbamos a koˈmeɾ/
Did you know?
- The word comer is so central to the Spanish midday routine that it can function as a noun for the meal itself. If someone asks ¿A qué hora es la comida?, they are not asking 'At what time is the eating?', but rather 'At what time is lunch?'
- Using the verb picar instead of comer changes the meaning from asking about a full meal to asking about 'picking at' small appetizers or snacks.
- The word vamos comes from the Latin vādāmus, which originally meant 'to go' or 'to proceed', illustrating how the Spanish 'going to' structure is deeply rooted in the concept of movement toward an action.
Examples in context
- Tengo hambre, ¿qué vamos a comer?I'm hungry, what are we going to eat?
- Ya es tarde, ¿qué vamos a comer?It is late already, what are we going to eat?
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are deciding on a dinner menu at home.
- AlejandroSofía, ¿qué vamos a comer?Sofía, what are we going to eat?
- SofíaNo lo sé todavía.I don't know yet.
- AlejandroTal vez podemos pedir pizza.Maybe we can order pizza.
- SofíaEs una buena idea, Alejandro.That is a good idea, Alejandro.
