Preparo una bebida dulce para la cena.

I prepare a sweet drink for dinner.

Breakdown of Preparo una bebida dulce para la cena.

• yo: I
• dulce: sweet
• la bebida: the drink
• para: for
• preparar: to prepare
• la cena: the dinner

Questions & Answers about Preparo una bebida dulce para la cena.

Why is preparo in the present tense here instead of something like prepararé (future) or estoy preparando (present continuous)?

In Spanish, using the simple present tense (preparo) can imply a routine or a current intention. If you used prepararé, it would emphasize a future action. If you used estoy preparando, it would specify that you’re in the middle of the process. In everyday speech, saying preparo can cover both an ongoing action or a plan for the near future, much like the English “I’m making” or “I make.”

Why do we say una bebida dulce (with dulce after bebida) and not una dulce bebida?

In Spanish, descriptive adjectives (like dulce) typically go after the noun (bebida). While some adjectives can come before the noun for stylistic or emphasis reasons, the standard position of most adjectives is after the noun. Saying una dulce bebida is less common and might sound more poetic or emphasize how sweet the drink is.

What’s the difference between para and por in a phrase like para la cena?

Para often indicates a purpose or destination (in this case, the dinner event). You’re preparing a drink for that specific meal time. Por, on the other hand, usually indicates cause, duration, or exchange. If you said por la cena, it would sound odd here because it would imply something like “because of the dinner” or “in exchange for the dinner.”

Are there other ways to say "dulce"?

Yes, there are synonyms or related words like azucarado (sugary), endulzado (sweetened), or goloso (sweet-toothed or appealing to sweet tastes). However, dulce is the most straightforward way to say “sweet.”

Can we omit para la cena and still make sense in Spanish?

Absolutely. If you simply say Preparo una bebida dulce, it means “I’m making a sweet drink.” Adding para la cena just specifies when or for what occasion you’re making it.