Spanish Phrase
Perdona, ¿cuánto falta para nuestra comida?
Meaning
You’re politely asking how much longer you have to wait before the meal you’re sharing arrives. The speaker apologizes for the interruption and then inquires about the remaining time.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re at a restaurant, a family gathering, or a workplace lunch and you want to know how much longer until the food is served. It works best in informal or semi‑formal settings with people you know well.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Perdona,¿cuántofaltaparanuestracomida?
Perdona (imperative)
Used as a polite way to get someone's attention or apologize before a request; it's the informal imperative of 'perdonar'.
cuánto (interrogative adverb)
Introduces a question about quantity or amount, here asking about time.
falta (verb faltar)
In this impersonal construction, 'falta' means 'is left' or 'remains' and is followed by an infinitive or a noun phrase.
para (preposition)
Links the verb 'faltar' with the event or thing you are waiting for; 'para' = 'until/for'.
nuestra (possessive adjective)
Shows ownership; agrees in gender and number with the noun 'comida'.
comida (noun)
In many Spanish‑speaking countries it can refer to the main meal of the day (lunch) or any meal, depending on context.
🗨In Conversation
Perdona, ¿cuánto falta para nuestra comida?
Excuse me, how long until our meal?
Faltan diez minutos, ya van a servirla.
There are ten minutes left, they’ll serve it soon.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Cuánto falta a nuestra comida?
The preposition after 'falta' is 'para', not 'a'.
¿Cuánto falta para nuestro cena?
If you mean a specific dish, use the dish name; otherwise 'comida' is fine.
Perdón, ¿cuánto falta para nuestra comida?
Use the informal 'Perdona' or 'Disculpa' when speaking to peers; 'Perdón' sounds more formal or abrupt.
↔Alternatives
Disculpa, ¿cuánto falta para que llegue nuestra comida?
Sorry, how long until our food arrives?
¿Cuánto falta para que nos sirvan la comida?
How long until they serve us the food?
¿Cuánto tiempo falta para la comida?
How much time is left until the meal?
Cultural Tip
In Spanish‑speaking cultures it’s common to preface a request with "Perdona" or "Disculpa" to show courtesy. "Comida" can mean lunch in Spain, but in many Latin American countries it often refers to dinner. Adjust the time of day in your conversation accordingly, and remember that asking about the wait is perfectly normal – servers expect it.