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"Cenar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to have dinner", and "almorzar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to have lunch". Learn more about the difference between "cenar" and "almorzar" below.
cenar(
seh
-
nahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to have dinner
Vamos a cenar a la casa de mis padres esta noche.We're having dinner at my parents' house tonight.
c. to dine
¿Me pongo el esmoquin para cenar con el conde?Should I wear my tuxedo to dine with the Count?
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to have for dinner
Voy a cenar un filete buenísimo.I am going to have a delicious steak for dinner.
almorzar(
ahl
-
mohr
-
sahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to have a mid-morning snack
Tengo que almorzar para que no me dé una bajada de azúcar.I need to have a mid-morning snack to prevent low blood sugar.
b. to have elevenses (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Estoy intentando adelgazar, así que no almorzaré hoy.I'm trying to lose weight, so I won't have elevenses today.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to have ... for lunch
¿Qué vamos a almorzar hoy? - Hice un estofado.What are we going to have for lunch today? - I made a stew.
b. to have ... for elevenses (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿Por qué no almuerzas un bocadillo? Es más sano que esas patatas fritas que tomas todos los días.Why don't you have a sandwich for elevenses? It's healthier than those crisps you have every day.
