esta noche
standard, Mexico
In Mexico "tonight" is esta noche, and in everyday speech people very often say hoy en la noche. Both are natural and neither is formal or rude.
Meaning: the evening or night of today (adverb)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| esta noche | standard, Mexico |
| hoy en la noche | everyday, Mexico |
Esta noche fits writing and invitations. Hoy en la noche is the casual spoken form, as in ¿Qué haces hoy en la noche?
Which one should you use?
Spain says esta noche far more than hoy en la noche, so the second phrase is a good sign of Latin American speech.
Did you know?
- Mexicans often answer an invitation with a short Va, meaning "okay, deal".
Examples in context
- Esta noche hay fiesta en casa de Pedro.Tonight there is a party at Pedro's house.
- Hoy en la noche va a llover.Tonight it is going to rain.
Example conversation
Fer invites her friend Dani to dinner by phone in Mexico City.
- FerDani, ¿qué haces hoy en la noche?Dani, what are you doing tonight?
- DaniNada, ¿por qué?Nothing, why?
- FerVamos a cenar tacos.Let us have tacos for dinner.
- DaniVa, nos vemos a las ocho.Sure, see you at eight.
