Spanish · Food & Drink
"Beer" in Spanish: cerveza
la cerveza
Beer is la cerveza (ser-VEH-sah), a feminine noun: una cerveza fría. Ask for una cerveza or una chela among friends in Mexico. A small bottle is often una cerveza chica.
At a bar
Una cerveza bien fría, por favor.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce cerveza
Say it
ser-VEH-sah
/seɾˈβe.sa/
ser-VEH-sah, stress on VEH. Soft c before e sounds like s in Latin America (like "sell"). In much of Spain that c is a th sound: ther-VEH-thah.
"Beer" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la cerveza | beer Default word in any Spanish-speaking country. | Default word in any Spanish-speaking country. |
| una cerveza fría | a cold beer The phrase waiters hear most on hot days. | The phrase waiters hear most on hot days. |
| la cerveza de barril | draft beer Beer from the tap. | Beer from the tap. |
| la chela | beer (slang) Informal Mexican slang among friends. | Informal Mexican slang among friends. |
| la michelada | beer cocktail with lime and spice Beer mixed with lime, salt, and often chili or sauces. | Beer mixed with lime, salt, and often chili or sauces. |
How to use cerveza in real life
- 1At a bar
Una cerveza bien fría, por favor.
A nice cold beer, please.
Bien fría is a common intensifier for icy drinks.
- 2With friends
¿Quieres otra cerveza?
Do you want another beer?
Otra cerveza is the natural follow-up round.
- 3Reading a menu
La cerveza artesanal cuesta más.
The craft beer costs more.
Artesanal marks small-batch beer on many modern menus.
Mistakes English speakers make with cerveza
Incorrect: Un cerveza, por favor.
Correct: Una cerveza, por favor.
Cerveza is feminine. Use una, la, esta cerveza.
Incorrect: Quiero un beer frío.
Correct: Quiero una cerveza fría.
Use cerveza, and match the feminine adjective: fría, no frío.
Good to know
Cold bottled lager is the default social drink in much of Mexico and Central America, often shared with lime and salt nearby. A michelada is beer dressed with lime, salt, and savory mixers—order it only if you want that spicy, tangy style. Spain drinks cerveza too, sometimes as a clara (beer with lemon soda); these pages stay with Latin American defaults.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering at a terrace bar
ChatPal
¿Tomamos una cerveza mientras esperamos?
Shall we have a beer while we wait?
You
Sí. Una cerveza clara, por favor.
Yes. A light beer, please.
ChatPal
Pedí dos cervezas bien frías.
I ordered two nice cold beers.
You
Gracias. Esta cerveza me encanta.
Thanks. I love this beer.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Beer" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Beer" in Spanish
Is cerveza masculine or feminine?
Feminine: la cerveza, una cerveza fría. Adjectives take -a forms.
How do you pronounce cerveza in Latin America?
ser-VEH-sah with an s sound for c and z. Spain often uses a soft th.
What is a michelada?
A prepared beer with lime, salt, and often hot sauce or spices. Ask before you order if you only want plain beer.
Is chela okay with strangers?
Chela is casual Mexican slang. With waiters, cerveza is safer and clearer.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- Y in Spanish AlphabetY in spanish alphabet. Learn how y works in the Spanish alphabet, from its names (ye and i griega) to its dual consonant and vowel pronunciation
- How to Practice Speaking Spanish with AI the Smart WayLearn how to practice speaking Spanish with AI using practical routines, realistic scenarios, and feedback loops that actually build real-world fluency.
