Spanish word of the day: Merendar

What does merendar mean?

Merendar (verb) — To have a light afternoon snack. Usually around 5:30 pm.

Whether alone or with company, it’s a simple but enjoyable break in the middle of the afternoon.

Example sentences with merendar.

• Mi hermana siempre merienda leche con galletas

  🍪 🥛 (My sister always has milk and cookies for an afternoon snack.)

• ¿Qué te apetece merendar hoy? Tengo fruta, yogur y pan con queso.

  🧀 (What do you feel like having for an afternoon snack today? I have fruit, yogurt, and bread with cheese.)

• Mis amigos y yo estamos merendando en una cafetería nueva que abrió en el centro.

  ☕️ (My friends and I are having an afternoon snack at a new café that opened downtown.)

Confused about how to conjugate this word? Our conjugation tables can help.

Merendar in context

Typically eaten in the afternoon between lunch and dinner, it’s a moment to pause, recharge, and socialize. Since dinner is eaten late in many Spanish speaking countries, merendar helps bridge the gap while fostering connection and relaxation.

The Spanish verb merendar comes from the Latin word merenda, which referred to a light meal workers, soldiers, or students in the afternoon or evening. Merenda is derived from the Latin verb "merere", meaning "to earn" or "to deserve," suggesting that this meal was something one had earned after work or study.