toda la tarde
/toda la taɾde/from spelling rules
The English phrase "all afternoon" is translated into Spanish as toda la tarde.
toda la tarde is used to describe an action or state that occurs during the entire period between noon and evening. Because the word tarde can mean both "afternoon" and "evening," this phrase can refer to the entire period from midday until nightfall.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of toda (all/whole), la (the) and tarde (afternoon).
Which one should you use?
While toda la tarde refers to the duration of a single afternoon, if you want to say that something happens every afternoon, you should use todas las tardes.
How do you pronounce it?
/toda la taɾde/
Did you know?
- The word tarde is closely related to the English word 'tardy'. Both come from the Latin root for 'late'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, toda la tarde includes the time of the 'siesta'. This means the phrase often covers a period where businesses are closed and the pace of life slows down.
- In Spanish, the word tarde can be used as an adverb meaning 'late'. This creates a linguistic link between the time of day and the concept of delay.
Examples in context
- Estaré aquí toda la tarde.I'll be here all afternoon.This sentence shows how to express being in a location for the duration of the afternoon using toda la tarde.Tatoeba #5575096 by marcelostockle, translation #4976777 by CK
- Tom taló leña toda la tarde.Tom chopped firewood all afternoon.This sentence demonstrates using toda la tarde to describe a continuous activity.Tatoeba #1504289 by marcelostockle, translation #1095292 by CK
- Lleva toda la tarde nevando.It's been snowing all afternoon.This sentence uses toda la tarde to describe a weather event that has been occurring.Tatoeba #6672142 by arh, translation #9525015 by DJ_Saidez
- Estoy disponible para reunirme con ustedes toda la tarde.I am available to meet with you all afternoon.
- Trabajaremos en la presentación durante toda la tarde.We will work on the presentation throughout the entire afternoon.
- Vamos a jugar videojuegos toda la tarde.We're going to play video games all afternoon.
- Pasé la tarde entera leyendo mi libro favorito.I spent the entire afternoon reading my favorite book.
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are talking about their daily activities.
- Elena¿Qué hiciste hoy, Alejandro?What did you do today, Alejandro?
- AlejandroEstuve limpiando la casa toda la tarde.I was cleaning the house all afternoon.
- Elena¡Qué cansado debes estar!You must be so tired!
- AlejandroSí, no paré en toda la tarde.Yes, I didn't stop all afternoon.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, tarde, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
