This morning
in SpanishEsta mañana
/EHS-tah mah-NYAH-nah/
The most direct and standard way to refer to the morning of the current day. It works in all Spanish-speaking countries and all social situations.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Hoy por la mañana
/OY por lah mah-NYAH-nah/
Literally 'today in the morning.' It is slightly more specific and emphatic than just 'esta mañana.'
Hoy en la mañana
/OY ehn lah mah-NYAH-nah/
A very common variation in Latin America using 'en' instead of 'por'.
¿Cómo amaneciste?
/KOH-moh ah-mah-neh-SEE-steh/
Literally 'How did you dawn?' This is the standard way to ask 'How are you this morning?' in Latin America.
La mañana de hoy
/lah mah-NYAH-nah deh OY/
A slightly more formal or poetic structure.
🔑Key Words
📊Quick Comparison
Comparing the subtle differences between the main ways to refer to the morning.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esta mañana | Neutral | General statements about today | |
| Hoy por la mañana | Neutral | Being specific/emphatic | |
| Hoy en la mañana | Casual | Daily conversation | |
| ¿Cómo amaneciste? | Personal | Greeting someone you care about |
📈Difficulty Level
The 'ñ' (nye) sound is the only trick; otherwise, it's phonetic.
Simple noun phrase, but requires knowing gender agreement (esta vs este).
Knowing whether to use 'por' or 'en' depends on the region, and the definition of when morning ends varies.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering 'mañana' is feminine (la/esta)
- Not confusing 'mañana' (tomorrow) with 'la mañana' (morning)
💡Examples in Action
Esta mañana fui al gimnasio.
This morning I went to the gym.
No he tenido tiempo esta mañana.
I haven't had time this morning.
Te llamaré esta mañana para confirmar.
I will call you this morning to confirm.
¡Hola! ¿Cómo amaneciste?
Hi! How is your morning going? (Lit: How did you dawn?)
🌍Cultural Context
The Double Life of 'Mañana'
One of the most famous Spanish words, 'mañana' has two meanings depending on how you use it. 'La mañana' (with the feminine article) means 'the morning.' However, 'mañana' (without the article or as an adverb) means 'tomorrow.' So, 'mañana por la mañana' actually means 'tomorrow morning'!
When does the morning end?
In English-speaking cultures, 'morning' usually ends strictly at 12:00 PM. In Spain, 'la mañana' can extend until lunch time, which is often around 2:00 PM or even 3:00 PM. So, don't be surprised if someone says 'Buenos días' at 1:30 PM!
The Verb 'Amanecer'
Spanish has a specific verb for 'to dawn' or 'to wake up in the morning' called 'amanecer.' In Latin America, asking someone '¿Cómo amaneciste?' is a very affectionate way to ask how they are feeling specifically at the start of the day. It's much more natural than asking '¿Cómo está tu mañana?'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Wrong Gender (Este vs. Esta)
Mistake: "Saying 'Este mañana'"
Correction: Esta mañana
Confusing Tomorrow with Morning
Mistake: "Saying 'Te veo mañana' when you mean 'I'll see you this morning'"
Correction: Te veo esta mañana
Literal Translation of 'In'
Mistake: "Saying 'En la mañana' in Spain"
Correction: Por la mañana
💡Pro Tips
Past vs. Present Perfect
If you are in Spain, you'll likely use the Present Perfect tense with 'esta mañana' (e.g., 'Esta mañana he comido'). In Latin America, it's more common to use the simple Preterite tense (e.g., 'Esta mañana comí'). Both are understood, but using the local tense helps you blend in.
Position in the Sentence
Time expressions like 'esta mañana' are flexible. You can put them at the start of the sentence for emphasis ('Esta mañana fui al banco') or at the end for a more neutral statement ('Fui al banco esta mañana').
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
In Spain, 'esta mañana' is almost always paired with the Present Perfect tense ('He desayunado esta mañana') because the morning is considered part of the current timeframe.
Mexico
Mexicans love using diminutives. 'En la mañanita' implies very early morning or adds a friendly tone. They use the Simple Past tense ('Desayuné esta mañana').
Southern Cone (Argentina/Uruguay)
You might hear 'a la mañana' (at morning) used more frequently here than in other regions for general time references.
💬What Comes Next?
Someone asks '¿Cómo amaneciste?' (How is your morning?)
¿Cómo amaneciste?
How did you wake up / How is your morning?
Amanecí muy bien, gracias.
I woke up very well/My morning is going well, thanks.
Discussing plans for the day
¿Qué hiciste esta mañana?
What did you do this morning?
Esta mañana estuve trabajando.
This morning I was working.
🧠Memory Tricks
Think of 'ESTA mañana' as being right here, right now (Present). 'Esta' rhymes with 'Fiesta'—imagine having a fiesta *this morning*.
Imagine peeling a banana (mañana) *tomorrow* morning. This helps remember the word, but remember to add 'esta' (this) to keep it in the present day!
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, 'this morning' determines the verb tense based on the current time (e.g., 'I ate' vs 'I have eaten'). In Spanish, the tense choice is often determined by geography (Spain uses 'have eaten', LatAm uses 'ate') regardless of whether it is still morning or not.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: The word 'mañana' means both 'morning' and 'tomorrow'.
Use instead: Use 'la mañana' for 'the morning' and just 'mañana' for 'tomorrow'.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say this afternoon
Logical progression through the time of day.
How to say tonight
Completes the set of 'today' time references.
How to say tomorrow morning
Crucial for distinguishing between 'esta mañana' and 'mañana por la mañana'.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: This morning
Question 1 of 3
If you want to say 'I went to the store this morning' in Mexico, which is most natural?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people say 'mañana' for tomorrow and morning?
It's just a quirk of the language! Context usually makes it clear. If there is an article like 'la' or 'una' before it (la mañana), it means morning. If it stands alone or acts as an adverb (Nos vemos mañana), it means tomorrow.
Can I say 'este mañana'?
No, that is incorrect. 'Mañana' (morning) is feminine, so it must be 'esta mañana'. Interestingly, 'el mañana' (masculine) exists, but it is a poetic term meaning 'the future'!
Is it 'en la mañana' or 'por la mañana'?
Both are correct, but they are regional. 'Por la mañana' is standard in Spain and universal. 'En la mañana' is very common in Latin America. As a learner, you can use either and be understood.
How do I greet someone specifically for 'this morning'?
You can simply say 'Buenos días' (Good morning). If you want to ask how their specific morning is going, in Latin America you can ask '¿Cómo amaneciste?'
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