Inklingo

How to Say "dinner" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cena

/SEH-nah//ˈsena/

NounA1General
Use 'cena' when referring to the main meal eaten in the evening, which is the most common meaning of 'dinner' in English.
A beautifully set dinner table with two plates of steaming food and a gentle evening light filtering through a window, representing the evening meal.

Examples

¿A qué hora es la cena?

What time is dinner?

La cena de anoche estuvo deliciosa.

Last night's dinner was delicious.

Preparamos una cena especial para su cumpleaños.

We prepared a special dinner for her birthday.

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).

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.

comida

/koh-MEE-dah//koˈmiða/

NounA2Regional
Use 'comida' for the evening meal only in specific regions where it has taken on this meaning; be aware that 'comida' most often refers to the midday meal (lunch).
A single place setting on a wooden table featuring a plate of prepared food (meat, rice, and vegetables), representing a specific meal like lunch.

Examples

¿A qué hora es la comida?

What time is lunch?

Vamos a casa de mi abuela para la comida del domingo.

We're going to my grandmother's house for Sunday lunch.

Hoy no tengo tiempo para una comida larga.

Today I don't have time for a long lunch.

Confusing 'Comida' and 'Cena'

The most common mistake is using 'comida' for dinner outside of regions where it's standard, leading to confusion with lunch. Always default to 'cena' for the evening meal unless you are certain 'comida' is used for dinner in your specific region.

Related Translations

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