cena
/SEH-nah/
dinner
As a feminine noun, la cena means 'dinner' or 'supper', referring to the main evening meal.
📝 In Action
¿A qué hora es la cena?
A1What time is dinner?
La cena de anoche estuvo deliciosa.
A2Last night's dinner was delicious.
Preparamos una cena especial para su cumpleaños.
B1We prepared a special dinner for her birthday.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
'Cena' is a feminine word, so you always use 'la' or 'una' with it. For example, 'la cena' (the dinner) or 'una cena' (a dinner).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Dinner Time
Mistake: "Thinking 'cena' is eaten at 6 PM like in some English-speaking countries."
Correction: In many Spanish-speaking countries, 'la cena' is a lighter meal eaten much later, often at 9 PM or even later.
⭐ Usage Tips
Meal of the Day
'Cena' is specifically the evening meal. For the midday meal, use 'almuerzo' or 'comida', and for the morning meal, use 'desayuno'.
Cena is a verb form that means 'he/she has dinner' or, when used as a command, 'Have dinner!'
cena(Verb)
he/she has dinner
?As a statement, e.g., 'Él cena a las nueve.'
,you have dinner
?As a statement, when speaking formally to someone ('usted').
have dinner!
?As a command, when speaking informally to someone ('tú').
📝 In Action
Mi padre siempre cena a las ocho.
A1My father always has dinner at eight.
Cena un poco de fruta si no tienes mucha hambre.
A2Have some fruit for dinner if you're not very hungry.
Señora López, ¿usted cena aquí esta noche?
A2Mrs. Lopez, are you having dinner here tonight?
💡 Grammar Points
Two Meanings in One
The word 'cena' can mean 'he/she has dinner' (a statement) or 'Have dinner!' (a friendly command). The situation usually makes it clear which one is meant.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'tener cena'
Mistake: "Saying 'yo tengo cena' to mean 'I have dinner'."
Correction: In Spanish, the meal is the verb itself. Just say 'Yo ceno' for 'I have dinner'. You don't need 'tener' (to have).
⭐ Usage Tips
Statement vs. Command
As a statement, it describes what someone does: 'Ella cena con su familia'. As a command, you're telling a friend what to do: '¡Cena algo antes de salir!'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cena
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'cena' as a noun (the meal)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'cena' and 'comida'?
'Cena' is always the evening meal. 'Comida' can mean 'food' in general, or it can refer to the main midday meal, which is like lunch but often bigger and later than in English-speaking countries.
How do I say 'I have dinner'? Do I use the verb 'tener'?
No, you don't need 'tener' (to have). In Spanish, you use the verb 'cenar'. So, 'I have dinner' is simply 'Yo ceno'.