¿cuándo es la cena?
The Spanish phrase for "when is dinner?" is ¿cuándo es la cena?
This phrase is used to ask about the time or date that the evening meal will be served. It can be used to inquire about a specific time or to ask about the scheduled event or occasion of the meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase translates literally as "when is the dinner?"
How does it change in a sentence?
Instead of using the present tense es, it is common to use the future tense será to ask when dinner will be served, resulting in the phrase ¿cuándo será la cena?
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, asking ¿cuándo es la cena? might get a surprising answer, as dinner is often eaten much later than in English-speaking cultures, sometimes as late as 10 p.m. or midnight.
- The word cena shares an ancient root with the English word 'cut', because the term originally referred to a 'portion' or a piece of food that has been cut.
- In Spain, the act of cenar is often preceded by el tapeo, a social custom of visiting multiple bars for small plates before the meal starts.
Examples in context
- ¿A qué hora es la cena, a las 7 o a las 8?What time is dinner, at 7 or 8?
- ¿Cuándo es la cena, más temprano o más tarde?When is dinner, earlier or later?
- La cena es a las ocho.Dinner is at eight.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are at a hotel.
- MateoMaría, ¿cuándo es la cena?María, when is dinner?
- MaríaEs a las ocho.It is at eight.
- MateoPerfecto, tengo mucha hambre.Perfect, I am very hungry.
- MaríaYo también, Mateo.Me too, Mateo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cena, cuándo, es, la, CC BY-SA 4.0.
