Spanish Phrase
¿Cocinas la cena?
Meaning
This phrase is a direct question asking if someone cooks dinner. It uses the informal 'tú' form of the verb 'cocinar' (to cook). It's a common way to inquire about someone's habits or responsibilities regarding meal preparation.
When to use
You would use this phrase in an informal setting when speaking to a friend, family member, or someone you know well. It's suitable for asking about daily routines, dividing household chores, or simply making conversation about food preparation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Cocinaslacena?
Cocinas (verb 'cocinar')
'Cocinas' is the second-person singular (tú) conjugation of the verb 'cocinar' (to cook) in the present indicative tense. It's used when asking 'you' (informal singular) if you cook.
la (definite article)
'La' is the feminine singular definite article, meaning 'the'. It agrees in gender and number with the noun it precedes, in this case, 'cena'.
cena (noun)
'Cena' is a feminine noun meaning 'dinner' or 'supper'. It refers to the evening meal.
🗨In Conversation
¡Qué rico huele! ¿Cocinas la cena?
It smells delicious! Are you cooking dinner?
Sí, estoy haciendo paella. ¿Quieres un poco?
Yes, I'm making paella. Do you want some?
✕Common Mistakes
¿Haces la cena?
While 'hacer' means 'to do/make', 'cocinar' is specifically 'to cook'. Using 'hacer' for cooking is less precise and less common in this context.
¿Cocina la cena?
Using 'cocina' (third person singular or formal 'usted' form) instead of 'cocinas' (second person informal 'tú' form) changes who you are addressing. Ensure verb conjugation matches the subject.
↔Alternatives
¿Preparas la cena?
Do you prepare dinner?
¿Quién cocina la cena en tu casa?
Who cooks dinner at your house?
¿Usted cocina la cena?
Do you (formal) cook dinner?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, dinner (la cena) is often eaten later than in some Western countries, typically between 8 PM and 10 PM. It can be a lighter meal compared to lunch (el almuerzo/la comida), which is often the main meal of the day. Cooking and sharing meals are central to family life and hospitality.