heute Abend
/ˈhɔʏ̯tə aːmt/word by word
The German phrase for tonight is heute Abend.
heute Abend is an adverb used to describe something happening during today's evening.
Meaning: during today's evening (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of heute (today) and Abend (evening), literally meaning "today evening".
Which one should you use?
While heute Abend refers to the evening hours, heute Nacht is used to refer to the late-night or overnight period.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In German, time expressions like heute Abend are used as adverbial accusatives. They do not require a preposition like "at" or "in" before them.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhɔʏ̯tə aːmt/
Did you know?
- If you wish someone a good night while they are still awake during heute Abend, you say Guten Abend but switch to Gute Nacht only when someone is actually going to bed.
- The word Abend shares a common ancestor with the English word 'even', as seen in the poetic term 'eventide'.
- In German culture, the transition from heute Abend to heute Nacht often depends on whether people are still awake and socializing or if the time for sleep has begun.
Examples in context
- Ich gehe heute Abend.I'm leaving tonight.This sentence shows how to use heute Abend to indicate a departure.Tatoeba #10354727 by Yorwba, translation #2248060 by CK
- Bis heute Abend, Tom!See you tonight, Tom.This sentence uses heute Abend in a farewell phrase.Tatoeba #11858563 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #11857840 by CK
- Fährst du heute Abend?Are you leaving tonight?This sentence uses heute Abend to ask about a departure.Tatoeba #2912721 by clarimariath, translation #10573189 by sundown
- Wir treffen uns heute Abend im Restaurant.We are meeting tonight at the restaurant.
- Die Preisverleihung findet an diesem Abend statt.The award ceremony takes place tonight.
- Lass uns heute Abend ins Kino gehen.Let's go to the cinema tonight.
- Ich komme heut' Abend vorbei, okay?I'll come by tonight, okay?
- 815 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Julian are talking in the kitchen about their plans.
- JuliaWas machst du heute Abend?What are you doing tonight?
- JulianIch bleibe heute Abend zu Hause.I am staying at home tonight.
- JuliaKommst du heute Abend nicht mit?Aren't you coming along tonight?
- JulianNein, ich bin heute Abend zu müde.No, I am too tired tonight.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tonight” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (heute, Abend) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Abend, heute, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
