Breakdown of Termino la tarea después de la cena.
yo
I
después de
after
terminar
to finish
la cena
the dinner
la tarea
the task
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Questions & Answers about Termino la tarea después de la cena.
Why does the sentence use 'la cena' instead of just 'cena'?
In Spanish, definite articles (like 'la') are often used before nouns to talk about specific things or routines (such as 'la cena', indicating the regular evening meal). Using 'cena' without the article would sound incomplete or too generic in this context.
Can I say 'Termino mi tarea después de la cena' instead of 'Termino la tarea después de la cena'?
Yes, you can use 'mi tarea' if you want to emphasize that it is your homework. However, in many contexts, it’s already understood that the homework is yours, so 'la tarea' is perfectly natural.
Is there a difference between 'terminar' and 'acabar' in this context?
Both 'terminar' and 'acabar' can mean to finish, and they can often be used interchangeably (e.g., 'Acabo la tarea'). 'Terminar' may sometimes sound slightly more formal or direct, but in casual speech they function similarly.
Why do I need 'de' after 'después'? Can I just say 'después la cena'?
In Spanish, 'después' is usually followed by 'de' when it precedes a noun, as in 'después de la cena' (after dinner). Saying 'después la cena' is grammatically incorrect.