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"Have dinner" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "cenar", and "eat" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "comer". Learn more about the difference between "have dinner" and "eat" below.
have dinner(
hahv
dih
-
nuhr
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
eat(
it
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to consume)
2. (colloquial) (to worry or bother)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. preocupar
Why are you so serious? What's eating you? Come on, tell me.¿Por qué estás tan serio? ¿Qué te preocupa? Vamos, dímelo.
b. no direct translation
The following examples show ways to translate this word or phrase without using a direct equivalent.
What's eating her? She didn't even say hello to us.¿Qué mosca le habrá picado? Ni siquiera nos saludó.
What's eating him? Why did he slam the door?¿Qué le pasa? ¿Por qué dio ese portazo?
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
3. (to consume)
