temprano
/temˈpɾano/
The Spanish word for early is temprano.
temprano is used to describe arriving at a time before expected. It can function as both an adjective and an adverb. If you want to specifically refer to the early hours of the morning before dawn, you should use the phrase de madrugada.
Meaning: arriving at a time before expected (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb describing an action, temprano does not change its form. However, when used as an adjective to describe a noun, it must agree in gender and number: temprana is the feminine singular form, tempranos is the masculine plural form and tempranas is the feminine plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/temˈpɾano/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, arriving temprano to a social party at someone's home can be seen as an imposition or an inconvenience to the host.
- The word temprano shares its DNA with the English word 'temporary', as both trace back to the same ancient roots concerning time and timing.
- Spanish speakers use the word tempranera to describe a variety of fruit or a flower that blooms earlier than usual in the season.
Examples in context
- Volvé a casa temprano.Come home early.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of temprano.Tatoeba #1566596 by hayastan, translation #274012 by CK
- Él se levanta temprano.He gets up early.Tatoeba #1023572 by jayefes65, translation #1442081 by CK
- El bus partió temprano.The bus left early.Tatoeba #1592208 by teskmon, translation #35296 by CK
- Por favor, llegue temprano a su cita.Please arrive early to your appointment.
- La reunión comienza temprano en la mañana.The meeting starts early in the morning.
- Me gusta levantarme temprano para hacer ejercicio.I like to wake up early to exercise.
- Por favor, confirme su asistencia lo más pronto posible.Please confirm your attendance as early as possible.
- Hoy me desperté tempranito.Today I woke up early.
- Podemos reunirnos tempranito para desayunar.We can meet up early to have breakfast.
- Regresé a casa de madrugada.I returned home early in the morning (before dawn).
- Me gusta caminar por la playa de madrugada.I enjoy walking along the beach early in the morning (before dawn).
- 415 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are meeting at a cafe.
- Javier¿Por qué llegaste tan temprano, Sofía?Why did you arrive so early, Sofía?
- SofíaEs que quería asegurar un buen sitio.It's just that I wanted to secure a good seat.
- JavierTienes razón, siempre eres muy puntual.You're right, you are always very punctual.
- SofíaSí, me gusta llegar temprano.Yes, I like to arrive early.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “early” translations and entries temprano, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries temprano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
