cocinar la cena
/koθinaɾ la θena/from spelling rules
To say 'cook dinner' in Spanish, you use cocinar la cena.
You may also encounter the phrase hacer la cena to mean 'make dinner', as well as preparar la cena to mean 'to prepare dinner'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb cocinar (to cook) and the noun phrase la cena (the dinner).
Which one should you use?
While cocinar la cena specifically implies the act of cooking or applying heat to food, hacer la cena is a more common, general way to say 'to make/prepare dinner' which can include assembling cold foods.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike English, where 'cook dinner' does not require an article, the Spanish phrase requires the definite article la before cena.
How do you pronounce it?
/koθinaɾ la θena/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the main meal of the day is actually la comida eaten at midday, making la cena a lighter, smaller meal.
- The word cena shares a distant Proto-Indo-European root with the English word 'share', as it originally referred to a 'portion' of food.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the actual 'cena' is often eaten much later in the evening than in English-speaking countries, sometimes not until 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM.
Examples in context
- Tengo que cocinar la cena hoy.I have to cook dinner today.Tatoeba #1365401 by marcelostockle, translation #257600 by CK
- Vamos a cocinar la cena juntos.Let's cook dinner together.Tatoeba #9524357 by dpcossio, translation #6866121 by Hybrid
- Tom tiene que cocinar la cena esta noche.Tom has to cook dinner tonight.Tatoeba #1411176 by marcelostockle, translation #1177556 by CK
- Quisiera que cocinaras la cena esta noche.I would like you to cook dinner tonight.
- La invitada especial cocinará la cena.The special guest will cook dinner.
- Voy a preparar la cena para la reunión de negocios.I am going to prepare dinner for the business meeting.
- El chef profesional preparará la cena en el restaurante.The professional chef will prepare dinner at the restaurant.
- Vamos a hacer la cena juntos esta noche.Let's cook dinner together tonight.
- Haz la cena mientras termino el trabajo.Cook dinner while I finish the work.
- Voy a guisar la cena con ingredientes frescos.I will cook dinner with fresh ingredients.
- Luis tiene talento para guisar la cena en poco tiempo.Luis has a talent for cooking dinner quickly.
- Yo haré la cena más tarde.I will cook dinner later.
- Ella va a cocinar la cena para todos nosotros.She is going to cook dinner for all of us.
- Voy a guisar la cena en casa esta noche.I am going to cook dinner at home tonight.
Example conversation
A couple is deciding on their plans for the evening.
- Daniel¿Vas a cocinar la cena hoy, María?Are you going to cook dinner today, María?
- MaríaSí, yo voy a cocinar la cena.Yes, I am going to cook dinner.
- DanielPerfecto, yo te ayudaré con la mesa.Perfect, I will help you with the table.
- MaríaGracias, Daniel, eres muy amable.Thanks, Daniel, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cena, cocinar, la, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
