¿qué debería comer?
The phrase "what should I eat?" in Spanish is translated as ¿qué debería comer?
This phrase is a question used to ask for a recommendation or advice regarding food choices. While ¿qué debería comer? is grammatically correct, asking ¿qué me recomiendas comer? is a more natural way to solicit a specific recommendation from someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the interrogative pronoun qué (what), the conditional form of the verb deber (should/ought to) and the infinitive comer (to eat).
Which one should you use?
You can also say ¿qué debo comer?, which translates to "what must I eat?" Replacing the conditional debería with the present indicative debo makes the question sound more urgent or implies a necessity rather than a suggestion.
Did you know?
- While comer means 'to eat', in Spain it specifically refers to the main meal of the day, usually eaten between 2 pm and 4 pm. If you ask ¿qué debería comer? during this window, you are specifically asking about the midday meal.
- In a restaurant setting, instead of asking what they 'should' eat, many locals use the verb 'probar' (to try), asking ¿qué me recomienda probar? to sound more like a connoisseur.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if you ask ¿qué debería comer? at a restaurant, the server may respond with lo que quieras, which literally means 'whatever you want' but is often a polite way to let you decide without pressure.
Examples in context
- Tengo mucha hambre, ¿qué debería comer?I am very hungry, what should I eat?
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are looking at a restaurant menu.
- LucíaEl menú es muy largo, ¿qué debería comer?The menu is very long, what should I eat?
- JavierLa pasta de este lugar es excelente.The pasta in this place is excellent.
- LucíaEntonces, ¿qué debería comer yo?So, what should I eat?
- JavierPrueba la pasta, Lucía, te encantará.Try the pasta, Lucía, you will love it.
