beba
beh-bah
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Es importante que usted beba mucha agua.
A2It is important that you drink a lot of water.
Beba un poco de este té para sentirse mejor.
B1Drink a bit of this tea to feel better.
Mi madre no quiere que yo beba refrescos.
B1My mother doesn't want me to drink sodas.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Vowel Swap' Rule
For verbs ending in -er like 'beber', the usual 'e' changes to an 'a' when you are giving a polite order or talking about wishes/doubts. That's why 'bebe' (he drinks) becomes 'beba'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'bebe' for orders
Mistake: "Using 'bebe' when talking politely to a boss or stranger."
Correction: Use 'beba' for formal 'usted' commands. 'Bebe' is only for friends and family.
⭐ Usage Tips
Polite Requests
Use 'beba' when you want to be extra polite. For example, 'Por favor, beba esto' sounds more respectful than the informal version.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
present
imperfect
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: beba
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'beba' as a polite command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'beba' the same as 'bebé'?
Not exactly. 'Bebé' is the general word for baby (male or female). 'Beba' is specifically for a girl and is more informal or affectionate.
Why does the verb change from 'bebe' to 'beba'?
Spanish uses a 'vowel swap' to show that a sentence is a command, a wish, or a doubt. For -er verbs like 'beber', the 'e' swaps to 'a'.