Mañana usaré el microondas para calentar la cena rápidamente.

Tomorrow I will use the microwave to heat dinner quickly.

Breakdown of Mañana usaré el microondas para calentar la cena rápidamente.

• yo: I
• la: the
• para: to
• el: the
• usar: to use
• la cena: the dinner
• mañana: tomorrow
• el microondas: the microwave
• calentar: to heat
• rápidamente: quickly

Questions & Answers about Mañana usaré el microondas para calentar la cena rápidamente.

Why do we use usaré instead of voy a usar?

In Spanish, usaré is the simple future tense (futuro simple). By using usaré, you’re implying a straightforward statement about the future. Meanwhile, voy a usar (the periphrastic future) can sound a bit more immediate or planned. Both ways are correct, but usaré is more direct as a simple future form.

Is el microondas always masculine, and why doesn’t it change in plural?

Yes, microondas is a masculine noun. Even though the word ends in "‑as," it’s treated as a singular masculine noun with the article el. For the plural, you typically keep the same form (los microondas); some people might say microondas does not have a distinct plural because of how it’s formed (similar to some English words that stay the same in plural).

What does para mean here, and why not por?

Para is used to indicate purpose or aim, so here it means in order to. Por, on the other hand, usually conveys reasons, causes, or exchanges. In this case, you’re explaining the purpose of using the microwave, so para fits naturally.

What’s the difference between cena and comida in Spain?

In Spain, cena is specifically the evening meal (dinner). Comida usually refers to lunch, which in Spain is the main meal of the day. So, cena is the correct word for the meal you have at night.

Is rápidamente the only way to say quickly, and can I place it anywhere else in the sentence?

Rápidamente is one common adverb for quickly. Other synonyms include de forma rápida or con rapidez, but rápidamente is more straightforward. Typically, you place adverbs right after the verb or at the end of the sentence. For example, Mañana usaré el microondas rápidamente para calentar la cena also works, though the original word order sounds more natural.