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tragos

/TRAH-gos/

drinks

Three colorful cocktail drinks (a red drink, a yellow drink, and a blue drink) in distinct glasses, garnished simply, sitting on a smooth table.

Tragos can refer to alcoholic drinks or cocktails.

tragos(noun)

mA2

drinks

?

alcoholic beverages, cocktails

,

rounds

?

when buying drinks for a group

Also:

booze

?

slang/informal

📝 In Action

Vamos a tomar unos tragos después del trabajo para celebrar.

A2

Let's go have some drinks after work to celebrate.

¿Quién invita los tragos esta noche?

B1

Who's buying the drinks tonight?

Solo tomamos dos tragos, nada más.

A1

We only had two drinks, nothing more.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • copas (drinks (often wine/cocktails))
  • bebidas (beverages (general))

Common Collocations

  • echarse unos tragos – to have a few drinks
  • pedir los tragos – to order the drinks

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Plural

Since the singular form is 'el trago,' the plural 'tragos' is also masculine. Remember to use masculine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'los tragos fríos').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Trago' and 'Bebida'

Mistake: "Using 'trago' for any liquid, like water or juice."

Correction: 'Trago' usually implies alcohol. Use 'bebida' or 'refresco' for non-alcoholic drinks.

⭐ Usage Tips

Use in Social Contexts

This word is perfect for casual plans with friends. It suggests a fun, relaxed evening rather than a formal dinner.

A simplified illustration of a person's profile, head tilted back, mid-gulp while drinking water from a glass, emphasizing the movement in the throat.

The word tragos also means the physical act of swallowing or gulping.

tragos(noun)

mB1

swallows

?

the physical act of gulping

,

gulps

?

quick, large swallows

📝 In Action

Necesité varios tragos de agua para quitarme el picante de la boca.

B1

I needed several gulps of water to get the spice out of my mouth.

Dio tres tragos a la medicina y la dejó.

B2

He took three swallows of the medicine and left it.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sorbos (sips)
  • bocados (mouthfuls (for food))

Common Collocations

  • dar un trago – to take a swallow/gulp

💡 Grammar Points

Connection to the Verb

This meaning comes directly from the verb 'tragar' (to swallow). 'Tragos' is the result of the action of swallowing.

⭐ Usage Tips

Differentiating Size

A 'trago' is generally a bigger, faster amount than a 'sorbo' (sip). Think of 'trago' as a quick gulp.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: tragos

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'tragos' in the sense of 'the physical act of swallowing'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

trago(drink / swallow (singular)) - noun
tragar(to swallow) - verb
tragonazo(large gulp) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'tragos' always alcoholic?

In most casual social contexts, yes, 'tragos' almost always means alcoholic drinks. If you want to talk about non-alcoholic drinks, use 'bebidas' or 'refrescos'.

How do I use 'tragos' to order in a bar?

You can say 'Vamos a pedir unos tragos' (We are going to order some drinks). If you want to specify, you can use the drink name: 'Dame dos tragos de ron, por favor' (Give me two rum drinks, please).