At night
in Spanishpor la noche
/por lah NOH-cheh/
The standard phrase used to describe something happening during the night hours. While universally understood, it is the dominant form used in Spain.
💬Other Ways to Say It
en la noche
/ehn lah NOH-cheh/
The most common way to say 'at night' across most of Latin America. It means exactly the same thing as 'por la noche'.
de la noche
/deh lah NOH-cheh/
Strictly used when telling specific clock time.
de noche
/deh NOH-cheh/
Refers to the state of it being night time (darkness), rather than a specific duration.
a la noche
/ah lah NOH-cheh/
A regional variation common in the Rioplatense region.
esta noche
/EH-stah NOH-cheh/
Translates specifically to 'tonight'.
durante la noche
/doo-RAHN-teh lah NOH-cheh/
Means 'during the night' or 'overnight'.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right preposition changes the meaning or regional flavor of the phrase.
| Phrase | Meaning | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Por la noche | Neutral | General duration (Spain) | Telling specific clock time |
| En la noche | Neutral | General duration (Latin America) | Telling specific clock time |
| De la noche | Neutral | Specific clock times (8:00 PM) | General descriptions without numbers |
| De noche | Neutral | Describing darkness/state | Referring to a specific date |
📈Difficulty Level
Very straightforward phonetic sounds for English speakers.
The prepositions (por, para, de, en, a) can be tricky to memorize.
The main challenge is knowing when 'evening' ends and 'night' begins.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to use 'de' with time
- Switching between 'por' and 'en' based on region
💡Examples in Action
Me gusta leer por la noche.
I like to read at night.
La fiesta empieza a las nueve de la noche.
The party starts at nine at night.
¿Vas a salir en la noche?
Are you going out at night?
Es peligroso caminar solo de noche.
It is dangerous to walk alone at night (in the dark).
Nos vemos a la noche.
See you tonight / later tonight.
🌍Cultural Context
When does 'Night' actually start?
In Spanish-speaking cultures, 'la noche' often starts much later than 'night' or 'evening' in English. The afternoon ('la tarde') can last until sunset or even until 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM. If you say 'buenas noches' at 6:00 PM, people might look at you strangely because it's still considered 'tarde' to them!
Dinner Time Differences
Because 'la noche' starts later, dinner happens later too. In Spain, dinner 'por la noche' might not happen until 9:30 PM or 10:00 PM. In Latin America, it's often a bit earlier (around 8:00 PM), but still generally later than the typical 6:00 PM dinner in the US or UK.
The Preposition Debate: Por vs. En
There is a friendly divide in the Spanish language regarding prepositions. Spain almost exclusively uses 'por la noche', while Latin America heavily favors 'en la noche'. Neither is 'wrong', but using the local version helps you blend in.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'en la noche' for clock times
Mistake: "Saying 'Son las ocho en la noche'."
Correction: Son las ocho de la noche.
Confusing Evening and Night
Mistake: "Using 'noche' for the 6 PM - 8 PM window."
Correction: Use 'tarde' (afternoon/evening).
Using 'anoche' for 'at night'
Mistake: "Saying 'Me gusta leer anoche'."
Correction: Me gusta leer por la noche.
💡Pro Tips
The 'Clock Rule' Trick
If there is a number involved (like 8:00, 9:30), always use 'de' (de la noche). If there is no number, you can use 'por' or 'en' depending on where you are.
Day vs. Night Contrast
If you are contrasting day and night as states of light and darkness, use 'de día' and 'de noche'. For example: 'Trabajo de día, pero estudio de noche' (I work by day, but study by night).
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spaniards almost exclusively use 'por la noche' for duration. Using 'en la noche' might mark you as a foreigner or someone who learned Latin American Spanish.
Mexico & Latin America
Here, 'en la noche' is the standard. It feels more direct to say 'in the night' (en la noche) rather than 'through/during the night' (por la noche).
Argentina & Uruguay
It is very common to hear 'a la noche' here, which sounds strange to other Spanish speakers. E.g., 'Te veo a la noche' (I'll see you tonight).
💬What Comes Next?
Saying goodbye at the end of the day
Hasta mañana.
See you tomorrow.
Buenas noches, que descanses.
Good night, rest well.
Making plans for later
¿Qué vas a hacer esta noche?
What are you doing tonight?
Voy a salir a cenar.
I'm going out to dinner.
🧠Memory Tricks
Think 'D' for 'Digits'. If you see Digits (numbers on a clock), use 'DE' la noche. If no digits, use Por or En.
Use 'POR' la noche because the night is a 'PORtion' of the 24-hour cycle.
🔄How It Differs from English
English distinguishes clearly between 'evening' and 'night'. Spanish blurs this line. 'La tarde' covers afternoon and early evening, while 'la noche' covers late evening and night. Also, English uses 'at' for both time (at 8pm) and general time (at night), whereas Spanish changes the preposition (de vs. por/en).
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Learners often try to say 'la última noche' or 'pasada noche'.
Use instead: Anoche (a specific single word for last night).
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say in the morning
Learn the counterpart to complete your daily timeline.
How to tell time
Essential for using 'de la noche' correctly with numbers.
Good night
The greeting version of the time phrase.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: At night
Question 1 of 3
It is 10:00 PM. How do you say 'It is 10 at night'?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'por la noche' in Mexico?
Yes, absolutely. Everyone will understand you perfectly. However, you will hear locals say 'en la noche' much more frequently. Using 'en la noche' will help you sound more like a local.
What is the difference between 'noche' and 'madrugada'?
'Noche' is general night time (roughly sunset to midnight/bedtime). 'Madrugada' is the late night or early morning hours (roughly 1 AM to sunrise). If you stay up very late partying or studying, you are doing it in the 'madrugada'.
Why do Spanish speakers say 'Good afternoon' at 7 PM?
This is a cultural difference! In many Spanish-speaking countries, 'la tarde' (afternoon) lasts until the sun goes down or until dinner time. So, 7 PM is often still considered late afternoon, not night.
Is 'anoche' the same as 'a la noche'?
No. 'Anoche' is a specific word meaning 'last night' (past tense). 'A la noche' is a regional phrase (mostly Argentina) meaning 'at night' or 'tonight' (future or present).
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