Meaning
Referring to the later part of the day.
Cultural Background
The 'noche' starts very late. People often don't go out to bars or clubs until midnight or 1:00 AM. It is very common to hear 'en la noche' instead of 'por la noche'. Both are perfectly acceptable. In Buenos Aires, 'a la noche' is a very frequent regional variation used in casual speech. The 'noche' usually starts earlier (around 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM) because the sun sets at the same time year-round near the equator.
Consistency is Key
If you are in Spain, stick to 'por la noche'. If you are in Mexico, 'en la noche' will make you sound more like a local.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember: Time + De + La Noche. Never use 'por' with numbers!
Meaning
Referring to the later part of the day.
Consistency is Key
If you are in Spain, stick to 'por la noche'. If you are in Mexico, 'en la noche' will make you sound more like a local.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember: Time + De + La Noche. Never use 'por' with numbers!
Plural for Habits
Use 'por las noches' to sound more natural when talking about things you do every single night.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to say 'I work at night'.
Yo trabajo ___ ___ ______.
'Por la noche' is the correct general time expression.
Which sentence is correct for 'The party is at 10:00 PM'?
La fiesta es...
Use 'de la noche' when specifying a clock hour.
Complete the dialogue.
Juan: ¿Cuándo estudias? Maria: ________, porque hay más silencio.
Maria is describing the general time she studies.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
You want to tell a friend you will call them tonight.
This is the most natural way to say 'tonight' in a general sense.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Por vs De with Time
Practice Bank
4 exercisesYo trabajo ___ ___ ______.
'Por la noche' is the correct general time expression.
La fiesta es...
Use 'de la noche' when specifying a clock hour.
Juan: ¿Cuándo estudias? Maria: ________, porque hay más silencio.
Maria is describing the general time she studies.
You want to tell a friend you will call them tonight.
This is the most natural way to say 'tonight' in a general sense.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'en la noche' is very common and correct, especially in Latin America.
Not exactly. 'Por la noche' is 'at night' (general). 'Esta noche' is 'tonight' (specific).
Nouns ending in -e can be masculine or feminine. 'Noche' is feminine by tradition.
Usually after dinner, around 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM.
In Spain, 7:00 PM is still 'la tarde'. In Mexico, it might be 'la noche'.
'Durante' is more formal and emphasizes the whole duration.
You can say 'tarde por la noche' or 'a altas horas de la noche'.
It is neutral. It works in almost any situation.
If it starts the sentence, a comma is often used but not always required.
No, you must include the article 'la'.
Related Phrases
Por la mañana
similarIn the morning
Por la tarde
similarIn the afternoon/evening
De madrugada
specialized formIn the early hours of the morning
Buenas noches
similarGood night / Good evening
