¿qué quieres para cenar?
The English phrase "what do you want for dinner?" is translated into Spanish as ¿qué quieres para cenar?
This phrase is a question used to ask someone about their food preference for the evening meal.
Which one should you use?
The form ¿qué quieres para cenar? uses the verb cenar (to have supper), which is the standard way to refer to the evening meal in most Spanish-speaking contexts. Other variations like ¿Qué te apetece cenar? are used specifically to ask what someone feels like having for dinner.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Regional variations exist including ¿Qué quieres para la cena? in Mexico, ¿Qué querés cenar? in Argentina and ¿Qué te apetece para cenar? in Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
Grammar changes based on who you are addressing. To ask a group of people what they want for dinner, use the plural form ¿qué quieren para cenar?
Did you know?
- The verb cenar functions as a complete action meaning 'to eat dinner', unlike the English phrasing which requires a separate verb like 'have' or 'eat'.
- In Spain, if you ask ¿qué quieres para cenar? too early in the afternoon, you might be told it is still time for la merienda, a traditional mid-afternoon snack.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, answering ¿qué quieres para cenar? with lo que sea is not a sign of indifference but a polite way to let the host choose.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué te apetece cenar? Hay una nueva receta que quiero compartir contigo.What do you feel like having for dinner? There's a new recipe I want to share with you.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are at home in the evening.
- SofíaAlejandro, ¿qué quieres para cenar?Alejandro, what do you want for dinner?
- AlejandroNo estoy seguro todavía.I am not sure yet.
- SofíaPodemos pedir pizza si quieres.We can order pizza if you want.
- Alejandro¡Eso suena perfecto!That sounds perfect!
