A guide to saying it like a local

How to Say "At night" in Spanish

Use 'por la noche' for 'at night' in Spanish. Perfect for evening plans or daily routines.

por la noche

por lah NO-chehneutral

A single phrase, broken down

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This is your go-to phrase for 'at night'. Use it when talking about activities that happen after sunset, like dinner or sleeping.

Alternatives

  • de nocheSlightly more poetic or general, often used for habitual actions.
  • en la nocheMore common in some Latin American countries, especially Mexico.

Ways to get it wrong

Don't use 'en noche'

Spanish requires a preposition like 'por' or 'de' before 'noche' in this context.

Confusing 'noche' with 'día'

Remember 'noche' is specifically 'night', while 'día' is 'day'.

A small cultural note

In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the evening (often called 'la tarde' or 'la noche') is a very social time, with people going out for walks or meeting friends after work.

Frequently asked

what is the difference between por la noche and de noche

'Por la noche' is the most common and versatile way to say 'at night'. 'De noche' is also correct but can sometimes imply a more habitual or general sense of nighttime.

when do you use en la noche

'En la noche' is used in some regions of Latin America, particularly Mexico, and is a valid alternative to 'por la noche'.

how to say 'good night' in spanish

You say 'Buenas noches' to wish someone a good night or when parting ways late in the evening.

Which is correct, in the night or at night?

In English, both 'in the night' and 'at night' can be used, but 'at night' is more common and generally preferred when referring to the general time period. The Spanish equivalent is 'por la noche'.

Is noche night or evening?

In Spanish, 'noche' primarily refers to the period of darkness after sunset, which is 'night'. However, it can also encompass the early part of this period, similar to 'evening' in English.

What does 'por la noche' mean?

'Por la noche' is the most common way to say 'at night' in Spanish. It is used to indicate an action or event that happens during the nighttime hours.