puesta
/pwés-ta/
setting
Puesta can refer to the spectacular setting of the sun.
📝 In Action
Fuimos a la playa para ver la puesta del sol.
A1We went to the beach to watch the sunset.
La puesta de la luna llena fue espectacular anoche.
B1The setting of the full moon was spectacular last night.
💡 Grammar Points
Fixed Phrase
This meaning is almost always used in the fixed phrase 'la puesta del sol' (the sunset).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'Puesta' and 'Sol'
Mistake: "Using 'el puesta' (incorrect gender)."
Correction: Remember that 'puesta' is feminine: 'la puesta del sol'.
When used as a noun, puesta means a bet or a stake in a game.
puesta(noun)
bet
?money staked in a game
,stake
?amount risked
laying
?laying of eggs by birds/animals
,hatch
?the eggs themselves
📝 In Action
Su primera puesta fue de cien euros.
B1His first bet was one hundred euros.
La gallina hizo su puesta en el nido.
C1The hen laid her eggs (her 'laying') in the nest.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
When talking about bets, 'apuesta' is generally more common, but 'puesta' is often used specifically for the money or object that is physically placed down.
As an adjective, puesta means placed (feminine singular).
puesta(past participle/adjective)
placed
?feminine singular
,put
?feminine singular
set
?table or scene
,worn
?clothing that is currently on
📝 In Action
La mesa ya está puesta, podemos comer.
A2The table is already set, we can eat.
Llevaba una chaqueta puesta, aunque hacía calor.
A2She was wearing a jacket, even though it was hot.
La nueva regla fue puesta en vigor ayer.
B2The new rule was put into effect yesterday.
💡 Grammar Points
Irregular Participle
'Puesta' is the feminine form of the irregular past participle of the verb 'poner' (to put/place). The masculine form is 'puesto'.
Matching Gender
When used as an adjective (like 'set' or 'placed'), it must match the gender and number of the noun it describes. Since 'mesa' (table) is feminine, we use 'puesta'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Not Matching Gender
Mistake: "Decir: 'La mesa está puesto.'"
Correction: Say: 'La mesa está puesta.' (The table is feminine, so the adjective must be feminine.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Wearing Clothes
Use 'llevar [clothing] puesto/a' to describe what someone is wearing: 'Llevo la camisa puesta' (I am wearing the shirt).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: puesta
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'puesta' to mean 'the table is set'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'puesta' and 'puesto'?
'Puesta' is the feminine singular form. 'Puesto' is the masculine singular form. They both come from the verb 'poner' (to put/place) and mean 'placed' or 'put.' You must match the gender of the noun you are describing (e.g., 'la chaqueta está puesta' vs. 'el libro está puesto').
Why is 'puesta del sol' feminine when 'sol' is masculine?
'Puesta' is the noun describing the *action* of setting, and 'the setting' is a feminine word in Spanish. 'Del sol' simply tells you *whose* setting it is—the sun's. The gender of the action is what matters here.