nocturno
/nohk-TOOR-noh/
nocturnal
An owl is a perfect example of a creature that is nocturno, meaning it is active at night.
nocturno(adjective)
nocturnal
?relating to the night or active at night
,night
?used before a noun, e.g., night shift
nighttime
?describing an activity
📝 In Action
El búho es un animal nocturno; duerme de día.
A2The owl is a nocturnal animal; it sleeps during the day.
Mi trabajo es en el turno nocturno, de 10 p.m. a 6 a.m.
B1My job is on the night shift, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
La vida nocturna de Madrid es muy famosa.
A2Madrid's nightlife is very famous.
💡 Grammar Points
Changing Endings
Since 'nocturno' is a descriptive word (adjective), its ending must match the noun it describes. Use '-o' for masculine singular (turno nocturno), '-a' for feminine singular (vida nocturna), '-os' for masculine plural, and '-as' for feminine plural.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting Agreement
Mistake: "Hago ejercicio en el gimnasio nocturna."
Correction: Hago ejercicio en el gimnasio nocturno. ('Gimnasio' is masculine, so 'nocturno' must also be masculine.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Use After the Noun
Unlike in English, Spanish descriptive words usually come after the thing they describe: 'the nocturnal flight' is 'el vuelo nocturno'.
A nocturno is a musical composition, often for piano, that evokes the feeling or mood of the night.
📝 In Action
El pianista interpretó un bello nocturno de Debussy.
C1The pianist performed a beautiful nocturne by Debussy.
El poeta escribió un nocturno en honor a la luna llena.
C2The poet wrote a nocturne (a night-themed poem) in honor of the full moon.
💡 Grammar Points
A Specific Type of Noun
When 'nocturno' is a noun, it always refers to a specific type of composition, usually music (like a sonata or concerto), and is always masculine: 'el nocturno'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: nocturno
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the descriptive form of 'nocturno'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'nocturno' and 'de noche'?
They both mean 'of the night,' but 'nocturno' is a single, formal adjective used to describe characteristics (like 'animal nocturno' or 'instinto nocturno'). 'De noche' is often used to describe actions or timing ('trabajar de noche' - to work at night) and is more common in everyday speech.
Can 'nocturno' be used for people?
Yes, you can use it to describe a person who is active late at night: 'Soy una persona nocturna' (I am a night owl/nocturnal person). You must remember to match the ending to the person's gender.