A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "At night" in French
Use 'la nuit' for 'at night' in French. It's the standard, versatile way to talk about nighttime.
la nuit
lah NWEEneutral
French TTS · 0:01
This is your go-to for 'at night.' Use it when discussing general nighttime activities or when something happens during the night.
Alternatives
- pendant la nuitEmphasizes the duration or the fact that something occurred *during* the night.
- de nuitOften used for jobs or shifts that happen at night, like 'travail de nuit' (night shift).
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the 'n' sound
The 'n' in 'nuit' is nasal; don't pronounce it like the English 'n' with your tongue on the roof of your mouth.
Silent 't'
The 't' at the end of 'nuit' is silent, so don't try to pronounce it.
A small cultural note
While 'la nuit' is standard, French often uses more specific times like 'le soir' (in the evening) or 'tard le soir' (late at night).
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
What's the difference between 'la nuit' and 'le soir'?
'Le soir' generally refers to the earlier part of the evening, from sunset until dinner. 'La nuit' covers the full nighttime period, including when people are sleeping.
How do I say 'all night long' in French?
You can say 'toute la nuit' to mean 'all night long'. It's a direct translation and commonly understood.
Is 'la nuit' used for nighttime in a city?
Yes, 'la nuit' is used for nighttime in any context, including describing the atmosphere or activities in a city after dark.
