Breakdown of Esta noche brindamos con una copa de jugo.
con
with
nosotros
we
de
of
la noche
the night
esta
this
una
a
el jugo
the juice
brindar
to toast
la copa
the glass
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Questions & Answers about Esta noche brindamos con una copa de jugo.
What does brindamos mean, and what tense is it?
It’s the first‑person plural of brindar in the present indicative: we toast. In context with a future time like esta noche, Spanish often uses the present to talk about a planned future action.
Can brindamos also be past tense?
Yes. Brindamos can be either present (we toast) or preterite (we toasted). Context or time markers decide: Ayer brindamos = we toasted yesterday; Esta noche brindamos = we toast tonight.
Why use the present to talk about the future here?
Spanish commonly uses the present for near‑future plans, especially with a time expression. Alternatives:
- Esta noche vamos a brindar (going to + verb)
- Esta noche brindaremos (simple future; a bit more formal or predictive)
What’s the difference between brindar con and brindar por?
- brindar con = the instrument/drink you use: Brindamos con jugo.
- brindar por = the reason/dedication: Brindamos por tu éxito. You can combine them: Esta noche brindamos por ti con jugo.
Is the preposition con necessary?
Use con when you mention what you’re toasting with: brindar con + drink/container. If you only state the reason, use por and omit con: Brindamos por la familia.
What’s the difference between copa and vaso?
- copa: a stemmed glass (wine/champagne).
- vaso: a tumbler/plain glass. Juice is typically in a vaso, not a copa, unless you’re serving juice in stemware for a formal toast.
Is copa de jugo natural?
It’s understandable, but many Latin Americans would say vaso de jugo. Use copa if the juice is actually served in stemmed glasses for the toast.
Is jugo the right word for “juice” in Latin America?
Yes. jugo is standard across Latin America. zumo is the usual word in Spain. People will understand both, but jugo is the natural choice in the Americas.
Why una and not un?
Because copa is feminine, so una copa. If you switch to vaso (masculine), it’s un vaso de jugo.
Why doesn’t esta have an accent? How is it different from está?
esta (this, feminine) has no accent. está (it is/you are/he/she is) has an accent because it’s a form of estar. So Esta noche = This evening/tonight; está noche would be incorrect.
Can I change the word order?
Yes. All of these are fine:
- Esta noche brindamos con una copa de jugo.
- Brindamos esta noche con una copa de jugo.
- Esta noche, con una copa de jugo, brindamos. Changing order can shift emphasis, but the meaning stays the same.
Which future form sounds most natural?
All are fine; nuance differs:
- Esta noche brindamos: scheduled plan, casual/natural.
- Esta noche vamos a brindar: near‑future plan, very common.
- Esta noche brindaremos: more formal, or a confident prediction.
How do I say “Let’s toast tonight with a glass of juice”?
Use the inclusive imperative: ¡Brindemos esta noche con un vaso de jugo!
You can also say: ¡Hagamos un brindis esta noche con jugo!
How do I add what we’re toasting to?
Use por:
- Esta noche brindamos por tu éxito con un vaso de jugo.
- Vamos a brindar por la salud de todos con jugo.
What’s the noun for “a toast”?
el brindis. Common phrases:
- hacer un brindis (to make a toast)
- un brindis por… (a toast to…)
- During the toast, people often say ¡Salud!
Is jugo countable? Can I say un jugo?
In many countries, yes: un jugo = a juice (a serving). In others, you might hear un vaso de jugo more often. Both are understood.
Why de jugo and not del jugo?
Use de to indicate what fills the glass in a general sense: una copa de jugo. Use del (de + el) only if you mean a specific juice already known: la copa del jugo que preparaste.
Should it be plural (copas) since “we” are toasting?
You can keep it singular generically (con una copa de jugo) or make it explicit:
- Brindamos con copas de jugo.
- Brindamos con un vaso de jugo cada uno. Plural sounds a bit more explicit.
What’s the difference between esta noche and anoche?
- esta noche = tonight/this evening (future or present reference)
- anoche = last night (past)
Any pronunciation tips?
- brindamos: tapped r [ɾ], stress on -da-: brín-DA-mos.
- jugo: j is a harsh h sound; in many regions it’s , in the Caribbean often [h].
- copa: c before o is a hard k sound: KO-pa.
- noche: ch like English “ch” in “chess.”
Is nosotros required?
No. The verb ending already encodes we. Nosotros brindamos is fine for emphasis or clarity, but brindamos is the default.
Can ¿Brindamos esta noche? mean “Shall we toast tonight?”
Yes. A rising intonation or question marks turn it into a suggestion. For an explicit proposal, you can also say ¿Brindamos esta noche? or ¿Vamos a brindar esta noche?
Is hoy en la noche acceptable?
Yes, in much of Latin America you’ll also hear hoy en la noche for “tonight.” Esta noche is universal and slightly more concise.
What do people commonly say when clinking glasses?
The default is ¡Salud! You may also hear ¡Chin chin! in some places, but ¡Salud! is the safest, most widely used option.