quedarse a cenar
/kedaɾse a θenaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase stay for supper is translated into Spanish as quedarse a cenar.
Depending on the time of day and regional customs, the verb cenar can refer to either a light supper or a full dinner.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive verb quedarse (to stay/remain) and the prepositional phrase a cenar (to have supper/dinner).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the infinitive form cenar (to dine/to have supper) after the preposition a to indicate the purpose of staying. When using the phrase in the third person singular, the reflexive pronoun se is used with the conjugated form of the verb quedarse, resulting in se queda a cenar.
How do you pronounce it?
/kedaɾse a θenaɾ/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, inviting someone to quedarse a cenar might actually mean eating at 10:00 PM or later. Unlike the English 'supper' which suggests a light evening meal, a Spanish 'cena' can be a large, formal event held very late at night.
- In some Latin American cultures, the invitation to quedarse a cenar is often a ritual of hospitality that is difficult to decline. Refusing such an invitation can sometimes be seen as a social slight rather than just a preference for food.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, the meal before cenar is the comida, which is the heaviest meal of the day and is eaten in the afternoon.
Examples in context
- Hola, señorita. ¿Le gustaría quedarse a cenar? Estoy preparando una deliciosa comida española esta noche.Hello, miss. Would you like to stay for supper? I am preparing a delicious Spanish meal tonight.
- Buenas tardes, señor. ¿Podría hacer el honor de quedarse a cenar con nosotros? Nos encantaría compartir esta comida especial con usted.Good afternoon, sir. Could you honor us by staying for supper with us? We would love to share this special meal with you.
- ¡Hola, amigo! ¿Quieres quedarte a cenar? Estoy preparando tu plato favorito.Hello, friend! Do you want to stay for supper? I am preparing your favorite dish.
- Ey, ¿te apetece cenar con nosotros? Vamos a hacer una barbacoa en el jardín.Hey, do you feel like having supper with us? We are going to have a barbecue in the garden.
- Buenas noches, señora García. Me encantaría que usted y su esposo se queden a cenar esta noche. Tengo preparado un exquisito plato de paella.Good evening, Mrs. Garcia. I would love for you and your husband to stay for supper tonight. I have prepared an exquisite dish of paella.
- Ellos decidieron quedarse a cenar en casa.They decided to stay for supper at home.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
