de la mañana
time
Spanish does not say "AM". You add de la mañana after the hour, as in las ocho de la mañana, or de la madrugada for the small hours. It is also called a. m.
Meaning: morning hours before noon (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| de la mañana | time |
| de la madrugada | time, early hours |
| a. m. | written |
Use de la madrugada for roughly midnight to dawn and de la mañana from morning until noon. The afternoon is de la tarde and night is de la noche.
Which one should you use?
In writing, a. m. exists, with spaces and dots, but many countries prefer the 24-hour clock in schedules.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Spain often uses the 24-hour clock in timetables, while Mexico and the United States more often use a. m. and p. m.
Did you know?
- Spanish has a separate word for the hours before dawn, madrugada, which English lacks.
Examples in context
- Son las ocho de la mañana.It is eight in the morning.
- Salimos a las tres de la madrugada.We leave at three in the morning.
- La clase empieza a las 9 a. m.The class starts at 9 a.m.
Example conversation
Hugo and his mother talk about an early flight in Mexico City.
- Hugo¿A qué hora sale el vuelo?What time does the flight leave?
- MamáA las cinco de la mañana.At five in the morning.
- Hugo¿Tan temprano?So early?
- MamáSí, salimos de casa a las tres de la madrugada.Yes, we leave home at three in the early hours.
