por la tarde
/poɾ la taɾde/from spelling rules
The English phrase "in the afternoon" is translated into Spanish as por la tarde.
To specify an event taking place 'during' the afternoon, you can also employ the preposition durante.
Which one should you use?
While por la tarde is the standard way to say "in the afternoon" in Spain, en la tarde is commonly used in many parts of Latin America.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the phrase Por las tardes is popular.
How do you pronounce it?
/poɾ la taɾde/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to translate "in the afternoon" literally as en la tarde. While this is used in some dialects, por la tarde is the more universal form for expressing a general time of day.
Did you know?
- Because tarde shares its roots with the Latin 'tarde', it is a cognate of the English word 'tardy'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, la tarde is not just a time of day but a social window for the 'merienda', a light meal and snack taken before dinner.
- In Spain, the transition from la tarde to la noche usually happens when it gets dark, rather than at a fixed hour like 6 PM.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué hacés por la tarde?What do you do in the afternoon?This sentence is useful for asking about afternoon activities using por la tarde.Tatoeba #479745 by hayastan, translation #464538 by lukaszpp
- Podría nevar por la tarde.It may snow in the afternoon.This sentence is useful for discussing the possibility of snow using por la tarde.Tatoeba #831313 by LugoIlmer, translation #277569 by CK
- ¿Hay un vuelo por la tarde?Is there a flight in the afternoon?This sentence is useful for inquiring about the existence of a flight using por la tarde.Tatoeba #625741 by clerval, translation #240075 by CK
- Tenemos una reunión importante por la tarde.We have an important meeting in the afternoon.
- La conferencia está programada por la tarde.The conference is scheduled in the afternoon.
- Vamos a jugar al fútbol en la tarde.We are going to play soccer in the afternoon.
- ¿Puedes acompañarme al cine por la tarde?Can you join me at the movies in the afternoon?
- Voy a llegar a tu casa a las tres por la tarde.I will arrive at your house at three in the afternoon.
- Tenemos una cita a las cinco en la tarde.We have an appointment at five in the afternoon.
- Voy a estudiar francés en la tarde.I am going to study French in the afternoon.
- El concierto será durante la tarde.The concert will be during the afternoon.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are discussing their plans for a Saturday.
- JavierNos vemos por la tarde, ¿verdad?We are meeting in the afternoon, right?
- SofíaSí, te veré por la tarde.Yes, I will see you in the afternoon.
- Javier¿A qué hora quieres ir?What time do you want to go?
- SofíaA las cuatro está bien.Four o'clock is fine.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, por, tarde, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
