What are the appropriate situations for using tomar vs beber for "to drink"? I've heard there is an implication that tomar refers to an alcholic beverage. Thanks!

From what I've read, it's often used for alcoholic implications, but 'tomar' vs 'beber' is also akin to the English 'drink' vs 'have' from how I'm hearing it used. For example, you're more likely to say "I think I'll have a beer (or a Coke)" than to say "I think I'll drink a beer (or a Coke)". Hope that helps. Randy

Thanks Randy, I couldn't agree more. Mauricio

Muchas gracias! Entiendo todo!

Still abit confused with tomar v beber :? If I asked someone what they would like to drink when they came to my house, would I use tomar or beber because invariably it's tea, coffee, fruit juice or water - alcohol very rarely comes into it. Although it is available if it's asked for :lol:

My husband is Dominican and they use beber in the DR. We recently visited and I found that to be true. Of course they understand what you mean if you use tomar but beber is the word they use there.

Thanks for that Vainita. I actually live in Spain and conscious that there may be significant differences between what is spoken in Mexico (as an example) and what is spoken in Spain itself. I now just have to get my head around "para" before the verb! Why can't it be "quiero algo tomar/beber" Where does "para" fit in?? (Para being "for") :?

Hello Sue, You can actually get rid of the "para" if you don't like it... :wink: If you say "quiero beber algo" or "quiero tomar algo" is perfectly fine. Hope that helps. Mauricio.

Muchas gracias Mauricio That does simplify it for me :D

I think it really depends on the "sabor" de español that you are speaking. My fiancee is from PR and most of the Spanish speakers that I communicate with are puertoriqueños, and I have NEVER heard anyone use beber, always tomar. Of course, I know what beber means and understand it when I hear it -but in my practical everday communication, like the PRs that I hang out with, I use tomar.