There’s more to learning how to say “dinner” in Spanish than simply memorizing the word cena. With this guide, you can master the difference between la cena and la comida, and cenar to talk about dinnertime in Spanish confidently.
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La cena
The most common way to translate “dinner” in Spanish is la cena. You’ll hear it used when discussing evening meals and gatherings. In Spain, la cena is typically enjoyed later in the evening, usually around 10 p.m., which—contrary to popular belief—isn’t solely due to an easygoing culture but rather a historical decision about changing timezones. In the summer, sunset happens around 10 p.m.!
Here’s how to use la cena in a sentence:
- Voy a preparar arroz con pollo para la cena. = I’m going to make chicken and rice for dinner.
- La cena está lista. = Dinner is ready.
To avoid confusing mealtimes in Spanish, remember that “lunch” typically translates as el almuerzo or, in Mexico and Spain, la comida.
La comida
In Mexico and Spain, you can be confident that la cena refers to the evening meal while la comida is reserved to refer to food in general or the midday meal. In some Latin American countries, however, la comida can also refer to the evening meal (dinner).
For example:
- Siempre vemos la tele después de la comida. = We always watch TV after dinner.
- La comida de anoche estuvo deliciosa. = Last night’s dinner was delicious
It’s important to be familiar with different Spanish dialects to understand vocabulary particular to each region, such as the specific use of la comida. By talking to native speakers about food and mealtimes, you can gain a deeper understanding of these regional differences and the cultural nuances surrounding meals. For example, you could spark a conversation about Day of the Dead food to hear important meal-related terms in context and learn more about Mexican culture.
What is the Spanish verb for ‘to have dinner’?
The Spanish noun cena refers to the evening meal, whereas cenar is the verb for “to have dinner” or “to have for dinner.” This verb is particularly useful when talking about what you ate for dinner and asking important questions, like “What’s for dinner?” in Spanish. Here are some examples demonstrating how it’s used in context:
- Cenamos empanadas anoche. = We had empanadas for dinner last night.
- ¿A qué hora vamos a cenar? = What time are we going to have dinner?
- ¿Qué hay para cenar? = What’s for dinner?
How to talk about dinner in Spanish
Now that you can correctly answer “How do you say ‘dinner’ in Spanish?” you’re ready to broaden your conversational skills with phrases that will help you navigate this important mealtime.
Use la cena and cenar to ask specifics about someone’s evening plans, discuss dinner plans, and invite someone to dinner.
- ¿Con quién vas a cenar? = Who are you going to have dinner with?
- ¿Me acompañas a cenar? = Will you join me for dinner?
- ¿Qué cenaste anoche? = What did you have for dinner last night?
- ¿Te gustó la cena? = Did you like dinner?
When it comes to dinnertime, you’ll want to learn how to order food in Spanish as well as common Spanish food words and food-related phrases. Next you can practice saying “I want” in Spanish. It’s an essential expression for communicating what you want to eat for dinner. For example:
- Quiero comida italiana para la cena. = I want Italian food for dinner.
- Quiero paella para cenar. = I want paella for dinner.
While “dinner” in Spanish can be expressed in just a few ways, there are endless opportunities to engage in conversation about it. You can practice using la cena and cenar in authentic scenarios with a knowledgeable Rosetta Stone tutor, through role-playing ordering food, discussing dinner plans with friends, or even talking about favorite dinner dishes from Spanish-speaking countries.
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