beberável in 30 Seconds
- Beberável means 'drinkable' in Portuguese, derived from the verb 'beber'.
- It is used for both safety (like water) and quality (like wine).
- The plural form is 'beberáveis' and it is gender-neutral in the singular.
- It is a common A2 word essential for travel and daily descriptions.
The Portuguese word beberável is an adjective used to describe something that is fit for consumption or safe to drink. Morphologically, it is a classic example of Portuguese word formation, combining the verb beber (to drink) with the suffix -ável, which is the equivalent of the English suffix -able. Therefore, the literal translation is 'drinkable'. While it is often used interchangeably with the more technical term potável (potable), there is a subtle distinction in common usage. Potável usually refers to the biological and chemical safety of water, such as city water supplies or well water. In contrast, beberável can also refer to the palatability or the quality of a beverage. For instance, if a wine is mediocre but still acceptable to consume, a Portuguese speaker might describe it as beberável, implying it isn't great, but it isn't 'intragável' (undrinkable/unswallowable) either.
- Technical Context
- Used by health inspectors or engineers to define liquids that meet safety standards.
- Colloquial Context
- Used by common people to describe the taste or quality of a drink, often implying it is 'just okay'.
- Travel Context
- Crucial for tourists asking if the tap water in a specific region or fountain is safe for consumption.
Esta água da torneira é beberável?
In Brazil and Portugal, the concept of what is beberável can vary due to infrastructure. In Portugal, public fountains are often marked with 'água potável' (potable water) or 'água não potável'. If you are unsure, you might ask a local if the water is beberável. In Brazil, while tap water is treated, many people prefer filtered water, so they might say tap water is beberável but not necessarily 'gostosa' (tasty). Understanding this word helps you navigate basic survival needs and social evaluations of drinks. It is a versatile adjective that bridges the gap between scientific safety and personal preference.
O café estava frio, mas ainda assim beberável.
Furthermore, the word follows standard Portuguese adjective rules for gender and number. Since it ends in -el, the form remains the same for both masculine and feminine nouns (e.g., o suco beberável, a água beberável). The plural form changes the -el to -eis, resulting in beberáveis. This regularity makes it an excellent word for A2 learners to practice their grammar while expanding their descriptive vocabulary. Whether you are discussing chemistry, culinary arts, or survival skills, this word is a fundamental building block of the Portuguese language.
Using beberável correctly requires an understanding of its placement and agreement. In Portuguese, adjectives usually follow the noun they modify. For example, 'drinkable water' is água beberável. However, it is very common to use it with the verb ser (to be) to describe the state of a liquid. Because beberável is a uniform adjective (ending in -l), you do not need to worry about changing the ending for masculine or feminine nouns. This simplifies the learning curve significantly for English speakers who are often frustrated by gendered endings.
- Subject-Adjective Agreement
- Singular: O líquido é beberável. (The liquid is drinkable.) / A sopa é beberável. (The soup is drinkable.)
- Plural Formation
- Plural: Os vinhos são beberáveis. (The wines are drinkable.) / As águas são beberáveis. (The waters are drinkable.)
Depois de filtrada, a água do rio torna-se beberável.
You will also see beberável used in negative constructions to warn others. 'Não é beberável' is a standard way to say 'It's not drinkable.' In more advanced contexts, you might see it paired with adverbs of degree, such as perfeitamente beberável (perfectly drinkable) or pouco beberável (hardly drinkable). These nuances allow you to express a wide range of opinions on the quality of what you are consuming. In a restaurant, if a server asks how the house wine is, and you want to be polite but honest, saying it is beberável suggests it's acceptable but not exceptional.
Eles procuravam por uma fonte de água beberável na floresta.
In academic or scientific writing, beberável might be replaced by próprio para consumo humano (fit for human consumption), but in everyday speech, literature, and journalism, beberável remains the standard choice. It is also worth noting that the word can be used metaphorically, though this is rare. For example, one might describe a 'beberável' piece of information in a very abstract sense, though 'tragável' is much more common for metaphorical use (meaning 'palatable' or 'believable'). Stick to the literal meaning of liquids to ensure clarity in your communication.
The environment in which you are most likely to encounter beberável is during outdoor activities or when discussing public health. If you are hiking in the mountains of Madeira or the trails of Minas Gerais, you will often find signs near springs. If a sign says 'Água não beberável', do not drink it! This is a critical safety word. You will also hear it in news reports concerning environmental disasters or water treatment issues. For example, if a city's water supply is contaminated, the news anchor will report on when the water will become beberável again.
- News & Media
- Reporting on the safety of reservoirs after heavy rains or pollution incidents.
- Eco-Tourism
- Guides explaining which natural sources are safe for tourists to use.
- Home & DIY
- Discussing the effectiveness of water filters or purification tablets.
A prefeitura garantiu que a água da cidade já é beberável.
Another common place to hear this word is in the context of wine and spirits. Wine enthusiasts often use beberável to describe a wine that is decent for its price point. It’s a way of saying, 'It's not a vintage masterpiece, but it's perfectly fine to drink with dinner.' This usage is slightly more subjective and informal. You might also hear it in a chemistry class or a survivalist documentary, where the process of turning undrinkable liquids into beberável ones is discussed in detail.
Este vinho de cinco euros é surpreendentemente beberável.
In marketing, you might see it on labels for portable water filters or purification straws. The packaging will boast that the device makes any water beberável. Because the word is clear and direct, it is favored in advertising that targets hikers, campers, and travelers. Finally, in some regions, you might hear the variant bebível, but beberável is more widely recognized and formally accepted across the Lusophone world. By listening for the root 'beber' (to drink), you can easily identify the meaning even in fast-paced conversations.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing beberável with bêbado. Because both words share the root of 'beber' (to drink), learners sometimes use beberável to describe a person who has had too much alcohol. This is incorrect. Bêbado or embriagado is 'drunk' (a person), while beberável is 'drinkable' (a liquid). Describing a person as beberável would sound very strange, perhaps implying they are a liquid that can be swallowed, which is nonsensical in most contexts.
- Mistake: Person vs. Object
- Wrong: 'Ele está muito beberável.' (He is very drinkable.) / Right: 'Ele está muito bêbado.' (He is very drunk.)
- Mistake: Confusing with Potável
- While often synonyms, 'potável' is for safety standards, 'beberável' is for quality/general drinkability.
Cuidado! Não diga que seu amigo é beberável quando ele bebe demais.
Another mistake involves the plural form. Many learners forget that adjectives ending in -el change to -eis in the plural. You might hear learners say 'águas beberávels' or 'águas beberáveis' with the wrong stress. The stress in beberáveis is on the penultimate syllable 'rá', and it carries an accent mark to indicate this. Forgetting the accent or the 'i' in the plural is a common written error. Additionally, some students try to use 'bebível' as a direct translation of 'drinkable'. While 'bebível' is a real word, it is less common in many regions than beberável, and sticking to the latter is generally safer for a learner.
As amostras de água coletadas são beberáveis.
Lastly, be careful with the word tragar (to swallow). Some learners use tragável when they mean beberável. While they are related, tragável often has a negative connotation, suggesting that something is just barely acceptable enough to swallow without gagging. Beberável is more neutral or even slightly positive. If you call a host's juice tragável, they might be offended! Using beberável is much more polite and accurate if you simply mean it is safe and okay to drink. Avoid these pitfalls to sound more like a native speaker and avoid social awkwardness.
To truly master Portuguese, you need to know the alternatives to beberável and when to use them. The most important synonym is potável. As mentioned, potável is the technical term for water that is safe for human consumption according to health standards. You will see this on official signs and in scientific reports. If you are talking about the quality of a beverage, you might use tragável (swallowable) or gostoso (tasty/delicious). If a drink is exceptionally good, beberável is too weak a word; you should use delicioso or excelente.
- Potável
- Formal/Technical. Used for water safety. 'Água potável' is the standard phrase for safe tap water.
- Tragável
- Informal. Means 'bearable to swallow'. Often used for bad coffee or cheap alcohol.
- Consumível
- General term for anything that can be consumed (eaten or drunk). More common in logistics.
Esta água é potável, mas o gosto não é muito bom.
On the opposite side, the antonyms are very useful. Imbebível and intragável are the direct opposites. Imbebível means 'undrinkable' and is used when a liquid is physically impossible or dangerous to drink. Intragável is more common and can describe both a bad-tasting drink and a 'hard to swallow' situation or person (metaphorically). If you find a liquid that is toxic, you would use tóxico or impróprio para consumo. Knowing these levels of intensity helps you communicate your needs and opinions more effectively in Portuguese-speaking environments.
O suco estava tão azedo que ficou intragável.
In summary, while beberável is your 'go-to' word for 'drinkable', being aware of potável for safety and tragável for quality will make your Portuguese sound much more natural. In formal writing, prefer potável when discussing water supply. In a casual setting at a bar or a friend's house, beberável or even dá para beber (it's drinkable/one can drink it) are the most natural-sounding choices. This spectrum of vocabulary allows you to navigate everything from a scientific lab to a casual dinner party with confidence.
Fun Fact
The root 'bib-' in Latin is also where we get the English words 'imbibe' and 'beverage' (via Old French).
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'r' like the English 'r' (it should be a tap).
- Stressing the first or second syllable instead of the third.
- Forgetting to vocalize the final 'l' in a Brazilian context.
- Confusing the closed 'e' with an open 'é' sound.
- Misplacing the stress in the plural 'beberáveis'.
Examples by Level
A água é beberável?
Is the water drinkable?
Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.
Este suco não é beberável.
This juice is not drinkable.
Negative sentence using 'não'.
O café é beberável.
The coffee is drinkable.
Masculine noun 'café' with the adjective.
É beberável?
Is it drinkable?
Elliptical sentence where the subject is implied.
A sopa está beberável.
The soup is drinkable (at the moment).
Using 'estar' for a temporary state.
Não beba, não é beberável.
Don't drink, it's not drinkable.
Imperative 'não beba' combined with the adjective.
O leite é beberável ainda?
Is the milk still drinkable?
Using 'ainda' to ask about status over time.
Quero água beberável.
I want drinkable water.
Direct object with an adjective.
As águas deste rio são beberáveis.
The waters of this river are drinkable.
Plural agreement: águas -> beberáveis.
Este vinho barato é beberável.
This cheap wine is drinkable.
Adjective modifying a noun phrase.
A água da torneira em Portugal é beberável.
Tap water in Portugal is drinkable.
Specific location context.
Eles trouxeram líquidos beberáveis para a viagem.
They brought drinkable liquids for the trip.
Plural masculine noun with plural adjective.
O filtro faz a água ficar beberável.
The filter makes the water become drinkable.
Causative structure with 'fazer... ficar'.
Procuramos uma fonte beberável.
We are looking for a drinkable spring.
Verb 'procurar' followed by a noun-adjective pair.
Esta mistura não parece beberável.
This mixture doesn't look drinkable.
Using 'parecer' (to seem).
O chá estava muito quente, mas beberável.
The tea was very hot, but drinkable.
Contrast using 'mas'.
Disseram-me que a água do poço era beberável.
They told me the well water was drinkable.
Indirect speech in the past tense.
Se o suco for beberável, eu vou tomar.
If the juice is drinkable, I will drink it.
Future subjunctive 'for'.
Apesar do cheiro, o líquido é beberável.
Despite the smell, the liquid is drinkable.
Concessive phrase 'Apesar de'.
É importante garantir que a água seja beberável.
It is important to ensure the water is drinkable.
Subjunctive mood 'seja' after 'garantir que'.
O vinho não era excelente, mas perfeitamente beberável.
The wine wasn't excellent, but perfectly drinkable.
Use of adverb 'perfeitamente' for degree.
Muitas pessoas não têm acesso a água beberável.
Many people do not have access to drinkable water.
Social context usage.
O náufrago procurava desesperadamente por algo beberável.
The shipwrecked man was desperately looking for something drinkable.
Using 'algo' as a pronoun.
Verifique se a substância é beberável antes de provar.
Check if the substance is drinkable before tasting.
Imperative 'verifique' with a conditional clause.
A purificação tornou a água do mar beberável.
Purification made seawater drinkable.
Transitive verb 'tornar' with object complement.
Consideramos esta amostra beberável para fins de emergência.
We consider this sample drinkable for emergency purposes.
Formal verb 'considerar'.
O relatório indica que as fontes locais são beberáveis.
The report indicates that local springs are drinkable.
Reporting verb 'indicar'.
Não há nada que torne este xarope beberável.
There is nothing that makes this syrup drinkable.
Relative clause with subjunctive.
A expedição falhou porque não encontraram água beberável.
The expedition failed because they didn't find drinkable water.
Causal conjunction 'porque'.
A qualidade do vinho tornou-o apenas beberável.
The quality of the wine made it only drinkable.
Clitic pronoun 'o' attached to the verb.
Será que esta solução química é beberável?
I wonder if this chemical solution is drinkable?
Interrogative phrase 'Será que'.
Mesmo após a fervura, a água não ficou beberável.
Even after boiling, the water didn't become drinkable.
Adverbial phrase 'Mesmo após'.
A potabilidade não implica necessariamente que a água seja agradavelmente beberável.
Potability doesn't necessarily imply that the water is pleasantly drinkable.
Nuanced distinction between safety and taste.
O crítico descreveu o licor como 'apenas beberável', para desgosto do produtor.
The critic described the liquor as 'only drinkable', to the producer's chagrin.
Quotation within a sentence for stylistic effect.
Tornar beberável a água de regiões áridas é o desafio do século.
Making the water of arid regions drinkable is the challenge of the century.
Infinitive as a subject.
A substância, embora tecnicamente beberável, possui um gosto amargo.
The substance, although technically drinkable, has a bitter taste.
Concessive conjunction 'embora'.
Raramente encontramos vinhos tão beberáveis nesta faixa de preço.
We rarely find wines so drinkable in this price range.
Adverb of frequency 'Raramente' with plural adjective.
A questão de ser beberável ou não depende do nível de filtragem.
The question of being drinkable or not depends on the level of filtering.
Noun phrase as a subject.
Ele argumentou que a água da chuva é inerentemente beberável.
He argued that rainwater is inherently drinkable.
Adverb 'inerentemente'.
A mistura resultou num composto pouco beberável devido à acidez.
The mixture resulted in a compound that was hardly drinkable due to acidity.
Prepositional phrase 'devido a'.
A ontologia do que é beberável transita entre o biológico e o cultural.
The ontology of what is drinkable moves between the biological and the cultural.
Highly academic register.
Fossem as águas mais beberáveis, a colonização teria seguido outro rumo.
Had the waters been more drinkable, colonization would have followed another path.
Inverted conditional with imperfect subjunctive 'fossem'.
A sutil gradação entre o potável e o beberável é frequentemente ignorada em relatórios técnicos.
The subtle gradation between the potable and the drinkable is often ignored in technical reports.
Substantivized adjectives 'o potável' and 'o beberável'.
O autor utiliza a metáfora da 'verdade beberável' para descrever fatos fáceis de aceitar.
The author uses the metaphor of 'drinkable truth' to describe facts that are easy to accept.
Metaphorical usage in literary analysis.
Sob uma perspectiva puramente química, quase qualquer solução pode ser tornada beberável.
From a purely chemical perspective, almost any solution can be made drinkable.
Passive voice 'ser tornada'.
A escassez de recursos beberáveis precipitou o conflito entre as tribos.
The scarcity of drinkable resources precipitated the conflict between the tribes.
Formal vocabulary like 'precipitou'.
A despeito de sua aparência turva, a infusão revelou-se surpreendentemente beberável.
Despite its cloudy appearance, the infusion turned out to be surprisingly drinkable.
Complex prepositional phrase 'A despeito de'.
A exigência de que todo efluente seja beberável após o tratamento é utópica.
The requirement that all effluent be drinkable after treatment is utopian.
Noun clause with subjunctive 'seja'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— A standard question to ask if a liquid is safe or okay to drink.
Desculpe, a água da torneira aqui é beberável?
— A warning that a liquid should not be consumed.
Cuidado, essa água de reuso não é beberável.
— The process of a liquid becoming safe to drink.
Depois de ferver, a água torna-se beberável.
— Asking if a drink is still good (not expired or spoiled).
Este leite abriu há três dias, ainda é beberável?
— Emphasizing that something is very bad to drink.
O café estava frio e nada beberável.
— Suggesting something is barely drinkable.
A água tinha um gosto de cloro que a tornava mal beberável.
— When something is officially or generally agreed to be drinkable.
O vinho da casa é considerado beberável pela maioria.
— Confirming with certainty that something is drinkable.
Pode beber, é totalmente beberável.
— A common sign found near non-potable water sources.
Havia uma placa dizendo 'água não beberável' perto do lago.
— When a drink is better than expected.
Apesar do preço baixo, a cerveja é surpreendentemente beberável.
Idioms & Expressions
— Literally 'to swallow a toad', meaning to endure something unpleasant without complaining. Related to the concept of 'tragável'.
Tive que engolir muito sapo naquele emprego.
informal— Literally 'past water doesn't move the mill', meaning the past is the past. Related to 'água'.
Não se preocupe com o erro de ontem; água passada não move moinho.
proverb— To get information from the original source.
Para entender o projeto, você precisa beber da fonte e falar com o autor.
metaphorical— To drink alcohol to forget one's sorrows.
Ele foi ao bar para afogar as mágoas depois do divórcio.
informal— To start drinking excessively.
Depois de perder o emprego, ele caiu na bebida.
informal— To drink a lot of alcohol.
Nas festas, ele costuma beber como uma esponja.
informal— A storm in a teacup; making a big deal out of nothing.
Não chore por isso, é apenas uma tempestade em copo d'água.
idiom— To have a hidden intention or ulterior motive.
Essa proposta dele parece boa demais, acho que leva água no bico.
informal— To come to nothing; to fail to happen.
O projeto do novo estádio ficou em águas de bacalhau.
informal— Mouth-watering; to desire something greatly.
Só de ver aquele bolo, fiquei com água na boca.
informalWord Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'beber' (to drink) + '-able' (able). If it's 'beber-able', you are able to drink it!
Visual Association
Imagine a clear glass of water with a green checkmark on it. The checkmark means it's 'beberável'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to find three different liquids in your house and label them 'beberável' or 'não beberável' (like cleaning supplies).
Word Origin
Derived from the Portuguese verb 'beber' (to drink), which comes from the Latin 'bibere'. The suffix '-ável' comes from the Latin '-abilis', denoting capability or fitness.
Original meaning: The original meaning in Latin was 'that which can be drunk'.
Romance / Indo-European.Cultural Context
English speakers often use 'potable' only in technical senses and 'drinkable' for everything else. Portuguese follows a similar split with 'potável' and 'beberável'.
Summary
The word 'beberável' is your essential tool for determining if a liquid is safe or acceptable to consume. Example: 'A água daquela fonte é beberável, pode encher sua garrafa.' (The water from that fountain is drinkable, you can fill your bottle.)
- Beberável means 'drinkable' in Portuguese, derived from the verb 'beber'.
- It is used for both safety (like water) and quality (like wine).
- The plural form is 'beberáveis' and it is gender-neutral in the singular.
- It is a common A2 word essential for travel and daily descriptions.
Related Content
More food words
a conta
A1The bill or check (in a restaurant).
a gosto
A2To taste, according to one's preference for flavor.
à la carte
A2À la carte, ordering individual dishes from a menu.
à mão
A2By hand (e.g., prepare by hand), done manually.
à mesa
A2At the table, referring to dining.
à parte
A2Aside; separately, served separately.
à pressa
A2In a hurry, with great haste.
à saúde
A2A toast, meaning 'to health' or 'cheers'.
a vapor
A2Steamed; cooked by steam.
à vontade
A2At ease/As much as you want; freely, comfortably.
