Spanish Phrase
Luego preparo la cena.
Meaning
‘I will then prepare dinner.’ The sentence tells the listener what the speaker’s next step will be after something else has happened.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are describing the next activity in a routine, a plan, or a story – for example after work, after a meeting, or after finishing another task.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Luegopreparolacena
Luego (adverb)
Means ‘then’ or ‘afterwards’; it indicates the next action in a sequence.
preparo (present indicative)
First‑person singular of preparar. In Spanish the present can be used to talk about a near‑future plan.
la cena (definite article + noun)
‘the dinner’; the article is required because we are speaking about a specific meal.
🗨In Conversation
¿Qué vas a hacer después del trabajo?
What are you going to do after work?
Luego preparo la cena.
Then I’ll prepare dinner.
✕Common Mistakes
Luego preparé la cena.
‘preparé’ is past tense; the sentence talks about a future plan, so the present ‘preparo’ is correct.
Luego preparo cena.
The definite article ‘la’ is required; omitting it sounds unnatural.
Después de luego preparo la cena.
Do not confuse ‘luego’ (then) with ‘luego de’ (after). The short adverb works best here.
↔Alternatives
Después preparo la cena.
Afterwards I prepare dinner.
Luego cocino la cena.
Then I cook dinner.
Después de eso, preparo la cena.
After that, I prepare dinner.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries dinner is usually eaten later than in the U.S., often around 9 p.m. or even later. Saying ‘Luego preparo la cena’ can also imply you’ll be cooking a more elaborate meal that will be shared with family or friends.