Questions & Answers about ¿Quieres salir después de comer?
Why is the subject (e.g., “tú”) not included before “quieres”?
In Spanish, the subject pronoun is often dropped because the verb ending (“-es” in quieres) already tells us that we’re talking about “you” (informal). This is called subject pronoun omission or pro-drop.
Is “salir” always translated as “to go out”?
Mostly, yes. In this context, “salir” means “to go out,” but it can also mean “to leave” or “to come out” depending on context. For example, salir de casa means “to leave the house.”
Does “después de comer” mean “after lunch” or “after eating” in general?
In Spain, “comer” often refers specifically to having lunch (the main midday meal). However, grammatically, “después de comer” can mean “after I/you/we eat” generally. In Spain, it most naturally implies “after lunch,” but context can clarify what meal is actually meant.
Why is it “después de comer” instead of “después de que comemos”?
“Después de + infinitive” is a concise way to say “after doing something.” If you use “después de que + conjugated verb,” it would be “después de que comemos,” which is also correct but more formal or more explicit. Both forms are acceptable, but después de + infinitive is common in everyday speech.
Can I use “¿Te apetece salir después de comer?” instead of “¿Quieres salir después de comer?”