Verb · A1 · Spanish glossary

Beber: to drink

beber

Pronunciation: beh-BEHR (stress the capital letters)

Beber means “to drink” in English.

Quick answer

  • Meaning: to drink
  • How to say it: beh-BEHR
  • Present: yo bebo, tú bebes
  • Level: Beginner (A1)

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What “beber” means and how to use it

Beber means “to drink.” In many countries tomar is more common in everyday speech.

How to conjugate “beber”

Present tense and key past forms
WhoSpanishEnglish
yobeboI
túbebesyou (informal)
él, ella, ustedbebehe, she, you (formal)
nosotrosbebemoswe
ellos, ustedesbebenthey, you all
Past (preterite)yo bebí, él bebióI / he or she
Past participlebebidoused with haber

Examples with audio

  • Bebo mucha agua.I drink a lot of water.
  • ¿Quieres beber algo?Do you want to drink something?
  • Los niños beben leche.The children drink milk.

Usage tip

Beber and tomar both work for drinks. Beber alone can suggest alcohol in some places, so “tomar” or “beber agua” sounds neutral.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “to drink” in Spanish?

“to drink” in Spanish is “beber.” It is pronounced beh-BEHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.

How do you pronounce “beber”?

Say beh-BEHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.

What is the past tense of “beber”?

In the preterite, “yo” is “bebí” and “él” is “bebió.” The past participle is “bebido.”

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