Tomar vs Beber

Question

I was taught beber was "to drink". I had heard of tomar but I also read that basically only Mexicans used it. But than I was watching this video (which was done by a Mexican) but she said that tomar is more common period. And that beber is more associated with being proper and classy. And that beber wad also associated with alcoholic beverages. Just like how you would only say copa de la leche if you didn't know any better because"copa" might mean cup but its only used with alcohol. Is this right or wrong? So I don't say anything like bebo leche. I don't want to sound weird even if it is grammatically correct.

Please fill out your profile so that we may better help you . Bienvenido al fora , buena suerte amiga. - ray76, Dec 22, 2014

In spain 'tomar is used for both alcohol and coffee , at least that is what I noticed , Copa is a cup yes , but it also means the cup shaped glass that we use for wine , some people want a ' vaso' which is a plain drinking glass and some a 'copa' - ray76, Dec 23, 2014

When ordering coffee , it is normal to just say what kind you want ' costado' o café con leche' the vessel is not mentioned , just accept what is offered and enjoy cos it is the best coffee in the world bar none. - ray76, Dec 23, 2014

That is my experience in Spain , but it will differ greatly in other places and even in different parts of Spain. - ray76, Dec 23, 2014

Thank you for filling out your profile , sorry about the beard we all have a cross to bare , I will give you a vote now. - ray76, Dec 26, 2014

Answer 1

In Spanish-speaking countries generally, and as I am associated more with Mexicans than other nationalities, I hear them use "tomar" for everything. "Voy a tomar refrescos." " I am going to have refreshments." "Voy a tomar té" "I am going to take tea."

Un vaso es para leche, agua, Coca-cola, etc.

Una taza es para café o té.

Cuando dicen "Vamos a tomar una copa." Se entiende que hablan de vino, o en España, puede ser un "fino" que es vino con jugo de una fruta. No sé qué fruta.

Un "tomador" se refiere a alguien que toma demasiado alcol.

Se oye también el verbo "beber" pero no con la misma frecuencia.

También en Italia dicen ,taza di te. - ray76, Dec 23, 2014

There you go ray. :) - chileno, Dec 23, 2014

I used to have a fresh squeezed orange called 'Zumo" to die for . con café y tostado , boy that is living ! - ray76, Dec 24, 2014

Answer 2

I don't think only Mexicans use it.

Copa de leche not good because copa here = goblet, cup is normal use.

I'll take a drink/shot of tequila = me tomaré una copa de tequila. = I'll drink a shot of tequila.

Right?

Thanks mate , in Spain i was sometimes asked if I wanted a - ray76, Dec 23, 2014

'copa o un vaso ' when ordering vino. - ray76, Dec 23, 2014

correct. - chileno, Dec 23, 2014

I forgot about vaso, whichis a regular glass cup - chileno, Dec 23, 2014

Thanks mate , all the best for la navidad . - ray76, Dec 23, 2014

Same to you. - chileno, Dec 23, 2014

Answer 3

In my experience:

Tomar is not just a Mexican thing, pretty much all of the Spanish speaking world uses it, and the few that don't use it certainly understand it.

Tomar is far more common, I rarely hear beber used.

I only hear copa used when referring to wine. Vaso is used for everything else.

I'll take a drink/shot of tequila = me tomaré una copa de tequila. = I'll drink a shot of tequila.

This is new to me, I've never heard copa used this way. I always use trago for shot or cabellito. So for me it would be:

Quiero un caballito (de tequila)

Quiero un trago de tequila

Regarding the word cabellito, I've seen it to mean both a shot in general (un cabellitio de [ron, whiskey, etc] ) and to specifically mean a shot of Tequila.

**EDIT: Cabellito is Mexican slang, I don't think it's used anywhere else with this meaning.

BTW, I blogged about the difference between vaso and copa a while back, take a look.

Vaso o Copa?

Thanks for that info mate, that is what i found , if I asked for a vino tinto o blanco , I would invariably get a copa , just occasionally in a bar that was frequented by tourists I was asked -' a copa o vaso ? - ray76, Dec 24, 2014