Spanish word

sobremesa

Pronunciation

IPA/soβɾeˈmesa/

Meaning

  • feminine nountime after a meal

Example

En mi casa, la sobremesa siempre dura más de una hora.

At my house, the time after a meal always lasts more than an hour.

Illustration for sobremesa (time after a meal)

More examples

Después de la cena nos quedamos charlando en la sobremesa.

After dinner we stayed chatting during the after-meal conversation.

Core concept

Two people leaning back in their chairs at a table, smiling and conversing.

Common phrases

  • charlar en la sobremesa

    chat during the after-meal conversation

Similar words

conversación: Two or more people speak with each other to share information or opinions.
charla: People have short, casual exchanges covering light, everyday topics.
plática: Talk stays informal and friendly, marked by a relaxed, personal tone.
tertulia: People meet in a social setting specifically to converse and enjoy company.

Definition in Spanish

Tiempo que se pasa sentado en la mesa conversando o relajándose después de comer.

Word origin

A compound of Spanish sobre and mesa, with roots in Latin super and mensa, that conveys the idea of the social time that happens over the table after eating.

Usage tips

  • Common collocations include alargar la sobremesa and quedarse a la sobremesa to say that the after-meal chat was extended or that people stayed to talk.

Other meanings

  • after-meal conversationnoun
  • after-meal relaxationnoun

Word lists with this word