Spanish · Food & Drink
"Lunch" in Spanish: almuerzo
el almuerzo
Note: also: la comida
The main midday meal is el almuerzo (ahl-MWEHR-soh). It is masculine: un almuerzo pesado, el almuerzo del día. In Mexico people often call that meal la comida instead; both are understood.
At work
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How to pronounce almuerzo
Say it
ahl-MWEHR-soh
/alˈmweɾ.so/
ahl-MWEHR-soh, stress on MWEHR. The ue is one syllable, like "mweh". Soften the second syllable; do not say al-moo-ER-zo as four stiff beats.
"Lunch" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| el almuerzo | lunch; midday meal Standard word for lunch in much of Latin America. | Standard word for lunch in much of Latin America. |
| almorzar | to eat lunch Verb: ¿Ya almorzaste? | Verb: ¿Ya almorzaste? |
| el almuerzo ejecutivo | set business lunch Fixed-price midday menu in cities. | Fixed-price midday menu in cities. |
| la hora del almuerzo | lunchtime When offices empty for the meal. | When offices empty for the meal. |
How to use almuerzo in real life
- 1At work
¿Salimos juntos al almuerzo?
Shall we go out to lunch together?
Al almuerzo points to the midday meal as a noun.
- 2Checking a schedule
El almuerzo es a la una.
Lunch is at one.
Midday meals often sit between 1 and 3 p.m.
- 3In a restaurant
El menú del almuerzo cambia diario.
The lunch menu changes daily.
Menú del almuerzo marks the midday specials.
Mistakes English speakers make with almuerzo
Incorrect: La almuerzo está listo.
Correct: El almuerzo está listo.
Almuerzo is masculine. Use el almuerzo and listo.
Incorrect: Vamos a lunch ahora.
Correct: Vamos al almuerzo ahora.
Use el almuerzo for the meal. The related verb is almorzar: ¿Ya almorzaste?
Good to know
In much of Latin America the midday meal is the heaviest of the day, often after 1 p.m. Mexico frequently calls it la comida, while Andean and Southern Cone speakers lean on almuerzo. Evening cena is then lighter. If a colleague says después del almuerzo, expect a real break, not a desk snack.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Finding a midday place near the office
ChatPal
¿Ya pensaste el almuerzo de hoy?
Have you thought about today's lunch yet?
You
No. ¿Dónde almorzamos normalmente?
No. Where do we usually have lunch?
ChatPal
Hay un almuerzo ejecutivo barato cerca.
There's a cheap set lunch nearby.
You
Perfecto, ese almuerzo me sirve.
Perfect, that lunch works for me.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Lunch" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Lunch" in Spanish
Is almuerzo masculine or feminine?
Masculine: el almuerzo, un almuerzo ligero.
Is almuerzo the same as comida?
Often yes for the midday meal. Comida also means food in general; almuerzo specifically points to lunch.
What is the verb form?
Almorzar. Yo almuerzo, ¿tú almuerzas? Notice the ue in the stem.
When is lunch usually eaten?
Commonly between about 1 and 3 p.m., later than many US schedules. Local habits vary.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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