noches

/NO-chess/

nights

Visualizing 'noches' (nights) as a sequence of three distinct dark periods under various lunar phases, emphasizing the plural meaning.

noches(Noun)

fA1

nights

The plural of 'night'.

Also:

evenings

When referring to the period after sunset.

📝 In Action

Las noches de verano son mis favoritas.

Summer nights are my favorite.

Trabajo tres noches a la semana.

I work three nights a week.

Pasamos muchas noches sin dormir por el proyecto.

We spent many sleepless nights because of the project.

Word Connections

Antonyms

días (days)

Common Collocations

todas las noches – every night
por las noches – at night / in the evenings
noches en vela – sleepless nights

Idioms & Expressions

pasar las noches en blanco – to have a series of sleepless nights; to pull all-nighters

💡 Grammar Points

Making 'Noche' Plural

'Noches' is simply the plural of 'noche' (night). Because 'noche' ends in a vowel, you just add an '-s' to talk about more than one.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Por la Noche' vs. 'En la Noche'

Mistake: "Incorrect in some regions: 'Voy a la fiesta en las noches.'"

Correction: More standard: 'Voy a la fiesta por las noches.' Both mean 'at night,' but 'por' is very common in Spain, while 'en' is more frequent in parts of Latin America. Using 'por' is usually a safe bet.

⭐ Usage Tips

When does 'noche' start?

In Spanish, the 'noche' often begins as soon as the sun sets. What English speakers might call 'evening' is frequently just 'noche' in Spanish, especially after about 8 or 9 PM.

Two adult figures exchanging a formal, respectful handshake inside a warmly lit doorway. The exterior background is dark blue, indicating a scene taking place during the evening.

The phrase 'Buenas noches' is used as both a greeting (Good evening) and a farewell (Good night), depicted here by a polite exchange in an evening setting.

noches(Interjection / Phrase)

fA1

Good night

When saying goodbye for the day or going to bed.

Also:

Good evening

When greeting someone upon arrival at night.

📝 In Action

¡Buenas noches! Que duermas bien.

Good night! Sleep well.

Buenas noches, señores. ¿Tienen una reservación?

Good evening, gentlemen. Do you have a reservation?

Word Connections

Antonyms

buenos días (good morning)
buenas tardes (good afternoon)

Common Collocations

¡Buenas noches a todos! – Good night, everyone!

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural in Greetings

In greetings, you always use the plural form: 'Buenas noches'. This is a fixed phrase, just like 'buenos días' (good morning) and 'buenas tardes' (good afternoon).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Singular 'Buena Noche'

Mistake: "¡Buena noche!"

Correction: ¡Buenas noches! The greeting is always plural, even if you're just talking about this one specific night.

⭐ Usage Tips

Hello AND Goodbye

Unlike English, which uses 'Good evening' for hello and 'Good night' for goodbye, Spanish uses 'Buenas noches' for both! You can use it when you arrive at a party at 9 PM and when you leave.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: noches

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'noches' correctly as a greeting?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

noche(night) - noun

anoche(last night) - adverb

trasnochar(to stay up all night) - verb

nocturno(nocturnal, nightly) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it 'Buenas noches' and not 'Buenos noches'?

Great question! It's because the word 'noche' is a feminine word in Spanish. Adjectives, like 'buenas' (good), need to match the gender of the noun they describe. So we say 'la noche buena' (the good night) and 'las noches buenas' (the good nights). The greeting 'Buenas noches' follows this rule.

Can I ever say 'Buena noche' in the singular?

While the standard greeting is always plural ('Buenas noches'), you might hear 'Que tengas una buena noche' (I hope you have a good night). In this case, you're wishing someone *one* good night, so the singular 'buena noche' is correct. But as a simple hello or goodbye, always stick with 'Buenas noches'.