Inklingo

How to Say "curfew" in Spanish

English → Spanish

toque

TOH-kehˈto.ke

nounB2general
Use 'toque' when referring to a general restriction on movement or a specific time when people must be home, often imposed by authorities.
A sturdy wooden gate is firmly closed across a winding path at night, symbolizing a curfew or restriction on movement.

Examples

El gobierno impuso un toque de queda desde medianoche.

The government imposed a curfew starting at midnight.

Debido a las protestas, tuvimos que respetar el toque de queda.

Due to the protests, we had to respect the curfew.

Fixed Phrase

This meaning almost always appears as the fixed phrase 'toque de queda' (literally 'signal to remain/stay'). Treat it as one unit.

Forgetting 'de queda'

Mistake: “Using only 'toque' when you mean curfew.”

Correction: Always use the full phrase 'toque de queda' to avoid confusion with the other meanings of 'toque' like 'touch' or 'tap'.

queda

KEH-dahˈke.ða

nounB2formal
Use 'queda' specifically for a regulation requiring people to stay indoors, often implying a formal order or a more localized restriction.
A completely empty, dark town street at night, viewed from the interior of a warmly lit window, symbolizing a curfew.

Examples

El gobierno impuso la queda a partir de las diez de la noche.

The government imposed the curfew starting at ten at night.

En la profunda queda de la noche, solo se oía el viento.

In the deep quiet of the night, only the wind could be heard.

Toque vs. Queda

The most common mistake is using 'queda' when 'toque de queda' is more natural and widely understood. While 'queda' can mean curfew, 'toque de queda' is the standard phrase for government-imposed restrictions on movement.

Related Translations

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