Learn Hardcore Spanish (Latin America): Después del atardecer comemos helado cerca de la fuente principal. - After sunset we eat ice cream near the main fountain.

Atardecer is a noun here, so after después de you need the article el, which contracts to del. Without it, the phrase would be ungrammatical.

What exactly does atardecer mean, and how is it different from anochecer?

Atardecer refers to the period when the sun goes down: sunset or dusk. Anochecer means nightfall or the moment complete darkness sets in. Dusk comes before full night.

Why isn't there a comma after Después del atardecer?

Spanish often omits commas after short introductory phrases. A comma is optional here and many native speakers drop it for a smoother flow.

Why do we say comemos helado without an article, instead of comemos el helado?

When talking about food in a general sense, Spanish usually omits the definite article. Comemos helado means we eat ice cream in general. Adding el would imply a specific ice cream that was already mentioned.

Could you use tomamos helado instead of comemos helado?

Yes. In many Latin American regions, tomar is used with drinks and light foods like ice cream. Tomamos helado and comemos helado are both correct, though comer emphasizes eating more than drinking.

What is the role of de in cerca de la fuente principal?

Cerca de is a fixed prepositional phrase meaning near. You always use de to link cerca to the noun that follows.

Why is there a definite article la before fuente principal?

Because you are referring to a specific fountain, the main fountain. Spanish uses the definite article to mark specificity.

Can you replace cerca de la fuente principal with junto a la fuente principal?

Yes. Junto a means next to or beside. It implies direct adjacency, while cerca de indicates proximity without specifying exact distance.