puesta
“puesta” means “setting” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
setting, sunset
Also: sundown
📝 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.
bet, stake
Also: laying, hatch
📝 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.
placed, put
Also: set, worn
📝 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.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: puesta
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'puesta' to mean 'the table is set'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Puesta' literally means 'a placing' or 'something placed.' It comes directly from the feminine form of the irregular past participle of the Latin verb *ponere*, meaning 'to put' or 'to place.' This is why it is used for the sun being 'placed down' (setting) and for a table being 'placed' with dishes (set).
First recorded: Around the 13th century in Spanish, derived from its Latin root.
Cognates (Related words)
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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.