Este lugar es hermoso cuando el sol se pone por la tarde.

This place is beautiful when the sun sets in the evening.

Breakdown of Este lugar es hermoso cuando el sol se pone por la tarde.

• ser: to be
• cuando: when
• el lugar: the place
• este: this
• el sol: the sun
• hermoso: beautiful
• ponerse: to set
• la tarde: the evening

Questions & Answers about Este lugar es hermoso cuando el sol se pone por la tarde.

What does the adjective hermoso mean in this sentence, and why is it used this way?

Hermoso means beautiful. It is used to describe este lugar (“this place”), emphasizing its appealing look. The adjective agrees in gender with lugar, which is masculine, making hermoso the correct form.

Why is the verb poner used in its reflexive form (se pone) when talking about the sun?

In Spanish, the verb ponerse is idiomatic when referring to the sun setting. The reflexive form (se pone) indicates that the sun “sets by itself,” which is a standard way to express this natural phenomenon.

What role does the word cuando play in the sentence?

Cuando functions as a conjunction meaning when. It introduces a time clause that specifies the moment in which the main statement applies—that is, the place becomes beautiful at the time that the sun sets.

How should the phrase por la tarde be interpreted, especially since sunsets are typically associated with the evening?

Por la tarde literally translates as in the afternoon. However, in Spain this phrase commonly refers to the late afternoon or early evening—the typical time when the sun begins to set. Thus, it appropriately sets the scene for a sunset.

Why are both es and se pone in the present tense in this sentence?

The present tense is used here to state a general truth or habitual condition. Es (from ser) expresses a permanent or inherent quality of the place, while se pone describes the regular natural event of the sun setting, highlighting that this is a recurring and observable fact.

What would be the effect of using en la tarde instead of por la tarde?

While en la tarde might be understood, por la tarde is the conventional expression in Spain to refer to the later part of the day when the sun sets. Switching the preposition could sound less natural to native Spanish speakers from Spain, even though it might be more common in other dialects.