Using the verb tomar for having food/drink

In Spanish we often use the verb tomar to talk about having food, meals, drinks. It is a common mistake to use the verb "tener" because of its direct translation: to have = tener 

The verb tomar is often used instead of comer (to eat) and beber (to drink).

Here are some examples:

Ayer comí un plato de arroz con pollo delicioso.Yesterday I had/ate a delicious chicken and rice dish .

Hemos bebido demasiada sidra.We have drunk too much cider.

We could also say:

Ayer tomé un plato de arroz con pollo delicioso.Yesterday I had a delicious chicken and rice dish.

Hemos tomado demasiada sidra.We have had too much cider.

We can be referring to having both food or drinks with tomar.

Here are more examples:

¿Qué quieres tomarWhat would you like to have/eat/drink? [lit: What do you want to have?]

Mi marido nunca toma cerveza. Siempre toma vino.My husband never has/drinks beer. He always has/drinks wine.

No puedo tomar mucho alcohol porque tengo que conducir.I can't drink/have a lot of alcohol because I have to drive.

¿Habéis tomado algo o tenéis el estómago vacío?Have you had something [to eat] or do you have an empty stomach?

Voy a tomar unas tapas con mi novia.I am going to have some tapas with my girlfriend.

This is a very common question in a bar or a restaurant:

¿Qué quieren tomar los señores?What would you like to have, sirs?

Remember not to use "tener" when talking about "having food/drinks".

¿Qué quieren tener los señores?
Yo siempre tengo café por la mañana.

 

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Examples and resources

Ayer comí un plato de arroz con pollo delicioso.Yesterday I had/ate a delicious chicken and rice dish .
¿Qué quieres tomarWhat would you like to have/eat/drink? [lit: What do you want to have?]
Mi marido nunca toma cerveza. Siempre toma vino.My husband never has/drinks beer. He always has/drinks wine.
No puedo tomar mucho alcohol porque tengo que conducir.I can't drink/have a lot of alcohol because I have to drive.
¿Habéis tomado algo o tenéis el estómago vacío?Have you had something [to eat] or do you have an empty stomach?
Hemos bebido demasiada sidra.We have drunk too much cider.
Ayer tomé un plato de arroz con pollo delicioso.Yesterday I had a delicious chicken and rice dish.
Hemos tomado demasiada sidra.We have had too much cider.
¿Qué quieren tomar los señores?What would you like to have, sirs?
Voy a tomar unas tapas con mi novia.I am going to have some tapas with my girlfriend.
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