Learn Hardcore Spanish (Latin America): Ellos están bebiendo una bebida muy dulce ahora. - They are drinking a very sweet beverage now.

In Spanish, están bebiendo indicates that the action is happening right now—similar to “They are drinking” in English. If you used beben, it would convey a simple present tense, which can suggest a habitual or general action rather than an action in progress.

What is the difference between bebiendo and tomando?

In many parts of Latin America, tomando is a very common word for “drinking” and can often be used interchangeably with bebiendo. However, bebiendo explicitly focuses on the act of drinking, while tomando can also mean “taking” or “consuming” in other contexts.

Why do we say una bebida muy dulce instead of something like un refresco dulce?

The word bebida means “drink” in a general sense. Refresco, on the other hand, commonly refers to a soda or soft drink in many regions. Saying una bebida muy dulce could refer to any sweet drink—juice, tea, or another sugary beverage—not necessarily a carbonated soda.

What is the purpose of using Ellos here, and do we always have to include it?

Ellos means “they” for a masculine or mixed group. Spanish often omits the subject pronoun when the context is clear (for example, just saying Están bebiendo una bebida muy dulce ahora). However, including Ellos can provide clarity on who is doing the action, especially if you need to avoid ambiguity or place emphasis.

Why do we add ahora at the end—doesn’t the progressive tense already imply something happening right now?

While están bebiendo implies the action is currently happening, adding ahora puts extra emphasis on the fact that it’s taking place at this specific moment. It’s similar to saying “They are drinking a very sweet drink right now” in English, stressing the immediacy of the action.