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Using en/a/por in Spanish to express a part of the day

Written by qualified Spanish expert Inma Sánchez BA
Last updated: 2024-10-28
15 questions

Prepositions en, a, por in Spanish: parts of the day

We use the prepositions en, a or por (not para) in order to refer to a part of the day, i.e. in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, at night.

Read and listen to these examples:

En la mañana ordeno mi dormitorio.In the morning I tidy up my bedroom.

A la mañana desayuno cereales.I have cereal for breakfast in the morning.

A veces me ducho rápido por la mañana.Sometimes I take a quick shower in the morning.

En la tarde voy a pasear con mi amiga Cristina.In the afternoon I go for a walk with my friend Cristina.

Trabajo en el jardín a la tarde.I work in the garden in the afternoon. 

Por la tarde voy al gimnasio.I go to the gym in the afternoon.

Miro la televisión en la noche.I watch TV in the evening.

Hablo por teléfono con mi madre a la noche.I speak on the phone with my mum in the evening.

A veces escucho ruidos en la casa por la noche.Sometimes I hear noises in the house at night.

None of the three options are specific to any particular Latin American country - all of these options are correct. 

See other general uses of the prepositions "en" and "a":

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Examples and resources

Hablo por teléfono con mi madre a la noche.I speak on the phone with my mum in the evening.
En la mañana ordeno mi dormitorio.In the morning I tidy up my bedroom.
Por la tarde voy al gimnasio.I go to the gym in the afternoon.
Miro la televisión en la noche.I watch TV in the evening.
A la mañana desayuno cereales.I have cereal for breakfast in the morning.
Con frecuencia me baño en la mañana.Often I have a bath in the morning.
A veces me ducho rápido por la mañana.Sometimes I take a quick shower in the morning.
A veces escucho ruidos en la casa por la noche.Sometimes I hear noises in the house at night.
Trabajo en el jardín a la tarde.I work in the garden in the afternoon. 
En la tarde voy a pasear con mi amiga Cristina.In the afternoon I go for a walk with my friend Cristina.
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