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A storybook illustration showing a person sitting at a wooden table, happily eating a plate of food indoors under warm, dim lighting, signifying the evening meal.

cenar Negative Imperative Conjugation

cenarto have dinner

A1regular -ar★★★★★
Quick answer:

The negative imperative of cenar uses the present subjunctive: no cenes, no cene, no cenemos, no cenéis, no cenen.

cenar Negative Imperative Forms

no cenes
ustedno cene
nosotrosno cenemos
vosotrosno cenéis
ustedesno cenen

When to Use the Negative Imperative

Use this to tell someone not to have dinner yet, perhaps because it is too early or you are waiting for someone.

Notes on cenar in the Negative Imperative

Cenar is regular. These forms are identical to the present subjunctive forms preceded by 'no'.

Example Sentences

  • No cenes todavía, la comida no está lista.

    Don't have dinner yet; the food isn't ready.

  • Por favor, no cene mucha grasa antes de dormir.

    Please, don't eat a lot of fat for dinner before sleeping.

    usted

  • No cenemos aquí, el lugar está muy sucio.

    Let's not have dinner here; the place is very dirty.

    nosotros

Common Mistakes

  • Mistake: no cena

    Correct: no cenes

    Why: Negative commands for 'tú' must use the subjunctive form, not the indicative.

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