Beber vs. Tomar?

Question

When do I use beber over tomar? What exactly is the difference between the two? Is one more/less formal? Thank you!

Answer 1

Hello Tedd,

Both verbs can mean to drink. The verb beber is the more literal verb meaning to drink whereas the verb tomar is used in a more colloquial or idiomatic way to mean to have a drink. It is common in Spain.

ex: Prefiero beber cerveza = I prefer to drink beer

¡Vamos a tomar una(s) copa(s)! = Let's go for a drink! ( plural: unas copas = some drinks)

A waiter could ask 1 ¿Qué quiere (Ud) tomar? o ¿Qué quiere (Ud) beber?

These two phrases above can both mean: " What do you want to drink?"

I believe that tomar is usually used in this kind of context to refer to an alcoholic drink whereas beber can mean either. ,,,but the context is critical in determining the meaning

You could ask the waiter for a soft drink: un refresco (ie: sin alcohol)

If you don't drink (alcohol) you can simply say no tomo alcohol

I hope this helps.

Thanks! - TeddJPB, Apr 15, 2014

Your explanation is very detailed. Very helpful! - joygogo, Apr 15, 2014

You're welcome, Ted :) - FELIZ77, Apr 15, 2014

Thank you, Joy :) - FELIZ77, Apr 15, 2014

Good answer! Just I would like to add that in Mexico and Guatemala for example, they rarely use the verb "beber", they almost always use "tomar". - SpanishSkypeorg, Apr 15, 2014

In Spain we use "tomar" in a general way "tomar copas" "¿qué quiere tomar? but we use more often beber if we refer a specific drink "beber un vaso de agua, beber una cerveza..." - SpanishSkypeorg, Apr 15, 2014

Muchas gracias, Spanish, por sus comentarios, su voto y su explicación! :) - - FELIZ77, Apr 16, 2014

Por ejemplo Me tomo un bien cafe cada vez me levanto. I have a good coffee every time I get up. - GeorgeTT, Apr 16, 2014

Gracias , George :) Sin embargo, no fue mi intención dar muchos ejemplos en esta respuesta. Creo que he dado suficiente para explicar la diferencia entre beber y tomar. si no, podría continuar para siempre jajaja - FELIZ77, Apr 16, 2014

Tenemos que tener en cuenta que hay muchas personas aquí que leen estas respuestas son de nivel 'princiante' - FELIZ77, Apr 16, 2014

Sólo fue mi intención dar una explicación básica - FELIZ77, Apr 16, 2014

Answer 2

Simple answer: use whichever one you want. Complicated answer: use whichever one you want. Seriously though, it's up to you.

I use tomar. Everyone I know uses tomar. I rarely ever hear beber used, but I have spent all my time visiting and talking to people from Mexico and Latin America. I'm not sure what is most common in Spain or Argentina, etc.

Answer 3

Different countries are partial to using one or the other. I heard from some that 'beber' is more often used for alcoholic drinks. But really, I've heard both said for something to drink no matter what it is. One way to see how both are used is to feed each word into a search image box. You can click around on the images and read the caption under them to see how they are used in sentences. I learn a lot that way.

Thank you! - TeddJPB, Apr 15, 2014

Good idea! - joygogo, Apr 15, 2014

Answer 4

Here is Baja it is almost always tomar. Beber is hardly ever used.

Same here in Mexico norte - pacofinkler, Apr 16, 2014

Answer 5

It is regional, punto.

Hello Afowen - pacofinkler, Apr 16, 2014