bebes agua
/bebes aɡwa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you drink water" is translated into Spanish as bebes agua.
This phrase is used to make a statement that someone is consuming water.
Which one should you use?
If you wish to address a group of people, you would use beben agua, which means "you all drink water" in Latin American Spanish or serves as the formal "you all" in Spain.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can use Tú bebes agua to mean "you drink water". In Mexico, Usted bebe agua is a way to say "you drink water".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form bebe agua can function as an informal imperative, meaning it can be used as a command to tell someone to "drink water".
How do you pronounce it?
/bebes aɡwa/
Did you know?
- The word agua is a feminine noun, but it uses the masculine article el in the phrase 'el agua' to avoid the clashing 'a' sounds. However, any adjectives describing the water must still be feminine, such as 'el agua fría'.
- The verb aguar is derived from agua and means to dilute a liquid or to spoil a situation. This is why the expression aguar la fiesta means 'to rain on someone's parade'.
- While beber means 'to drink', many Spanish speakers prefer the verb tomar for water. In some regions, tomar is so common that beber can sound overly formal or specifically refer to drinking alcohol.
Examples in context
- Bebes agua.You drink water.This example is useful for seeing the statement bebes agua in a simple sentence.Tatoeba #10496384 by Shishir, translation #7189457 by azraelgnosis
- Tú bebes agua después de correr.You drink water after running.
Example conversation
Javier and María are talking about health habits.
- JavierTú bebes agua muy seguido.You drink water very often.
- MaríaSí, es muy importante.Yes, it is very important.
- JavierYo bebo refrescos a veces.I drink sodas sometimes.
- MaríaDeberías beber más agua, Javier.You should drink more water, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
