Inklingo

How to Say "to drink" in Spanish

English → Spanish

tomar

/toh-MAHR//toˈmaɾ/

verbA1
Use 'tomar' when referring to the general act of consuming a beverage, especially when inviting someone or offering a drink.
A close-up of a hand holding and lifting a white ceramic mug filled with steaming coffee towards the mouth.

Examples

¿Quieres tomar un café conmigo?

Do you want to have a coffee with me?

Vamos a tomar unas tapas por el centro.

Let's go have some tapas downtown.

No tomo alcohol, gracias. Prefiero agua.

I don't drink alcohol, thanks. I prefer water.

tomarse

/toh-MAHR-seh//toˈmaɾse/

verbA1
Use 'tomarse' to emphasize the act of consuming or finishing a drink, often implying a personal or deliberate action.
A person happily drinking a glass of water.

Examples

Me tomo un café todas las mañanas.

I drink a coffee every morning.

¿Te tomaste la pastilla?

Did you take your pill?

The 'Personal' Touch

Using 'me' or 'te' with 'tomar' (making it 'tomarse') often implies you are consuming the whole thing or doing it for your own enjoyment.

Missing the pronoun

Mistake: “Tomo un café.”

Correction: Say 'Me tomo un café' when talking about a specific drink you are having right now.

Tomar vs. Tomarse

Learners often confuse 'tomar' and 'tomarse' because both mean 'to drink' or 'to have'. The key difference is that 'tomarse' often adds a sense of personal consumption or completion, while 'tomar' is more general, especially in invitations or offers.

Related Translations

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