Cocinar con amigos es excelente.

the friend

Breakdown of Cocinar con amigos es excelente.

• ser: to be
• cocinar: cooking
• con: with

Questions & Answers about Cocinar con amigos es excelente.

Why is cocinar in the infinitive form here, and not a gerund like cocinando?

In Spanish the infinitive can function as a noun (just like “cooking” in English). It acts as the subject of the sentence. A gerund (-ando/​-iendo) usually describes an ongoing action within a clause (e.g. “Estoy cocinando con amigos”).

Why isn’t there an article before cocinar (for example, el cocinar)?

Spanish commonly uses the bare infinitive as a general noun phrase and doesn’t require an article. You can add el for extra formality or emphasis (El cocinar con amigos es excelente), but in everyday speech it’s dropped.

Why is con used and not para when talking about “cooking with friends”?

Con means “together with.” It indicates that you and your friends are cooking side by side. Para would imply “on behalf of” or “for the benefit of” your friends (e.g. “Voy a cocinar para mis amigos” = “I’m going to cook for my friends”).

Why does the phrase say con amigos instead of con mis amigos or con los amigos?

Con amigos without an article or possessive is general (“with friends” in general). Use con mis amigos when you want to specify your friends, or con los amigos when you and your listener both know exactly which group of friends you mean.