Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| anochecer | /anot͡ʃeˈθeɾ/ /anot͡ʃeˈseɾ/ |
masculine |
| crepúsculo/lubricán vespertino | masculine | |
| atardecer | /ataɾdeˈθeɾ/ /ataɾdeˈseɾ/ |
masculine |
| oscurecer | /oskuɾeˈθeɾ/ /oskuɾeˈseɾ/ |
masculine |
| anochecida | /anot͡ʃeˈθida/ /anot͡ʃeˈsida/ |
feminine |
| atardecida | /ataɾdeθida/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /ataɾdesida/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
Dusk refers to the period of time at the end of the day when the sun is below the horizon but before the full onset of night.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on what aspect of the time of day you want to highlight. anochecer emphasizes the transition from light to darkness, much like 'nightfall'. In contrast, atardecer is more commonly used to describe the late afternoon period or the beautiful colors of the sunset. The term crepúsculo/lubricán vespertino specifically refers to the moment when the sky starts turning dark after sunset.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
crepúsculo is a more formal or literary term for dusk or twilight.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun anochecer (dusk) shares the same form as the verb anochecer, which means 'to become night' or 'to grow dark'.
How do you pronounce it?
/anotʃeˈθeɾ/
Did you know?
- The term crepúsculo is a cognate of the English 'crepuscular', a scientific term used to describe animals that are most active at dusk.
- The formal term vespertino comes from the Latin 'vesper', which is also the root of the English word 'vesper' used in religious contexts to describe evening prayers.
- In some poetic contexts, crepúsculo is used to describe a 'twilight' state of decline or the end of an era, not just a time of day.
Examples in context
- El sol es rojo al atardecer.The sun at dusk is red.This sentence is useful for describing how the sun looks at atardecer.Tatoeba #1527878 by marcelostockle, translation #1208888 by sundown
- El cielo del atardecer es rojo.The sky at dusk is red.This sentence is useful for describing the sky at atardecer.Tatoeba #1208746 by marcelostockle, translation #1527877 by CM
- Estoy molido. He trabajado desde el amanecer hasta el anochecer.I'm beat. I've been working from dawn to dusk.This sentence is useful for expressing a range of time from dawn to anochecer.Tatoeba #656060 by MondCivitano, translation #31189 by CM
- El cielo se tiñe de tonos dorados mientras el sol se oculta.The sky is tinged with golden hues as the sun sets.
- El anochecer comienza alrededor de las 8.Dusk begins around 8 o'clock.
- El aire se llena de un misterioso silencio conforme llega el crepúsculo.The air fills with a mysterious silence as dusk arrives.
- Las sombras se deslizan lentamente, como amantes secretos que se encuentran en la penumbra.The shadows glide slowly, like secret lovers meeting in the twilight.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are planning a walk in the park.
- Alejandro¿A qué hora regresamos a casa?What time are we returning home?
- ElenaPodemos volver justo al anochecer.We can return right at dusk.
- AlejandroMe parece bien, Elena.That sounds good to me, Elena.
- ElenaEntonces, salgamos ahora mismo.Then, let's leave right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dusk” translations and entries anochecer, atardecer, oscurecer, anochecida, atardecida, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anochecer, atardecer, oscurecer, vespertino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
