mañana

Lemma Details

Translation: morning; tomorrow

Part of Speech: noun

Etymology: From Latin 'maneana', meaning 'early time', derived from 'mane' (morning). The word evolved to mean both 'morning' and 'tomorrow' in Spanish, reflecting how the next day begins with morning. This dual meaning is unique to Spanish among Romance languages and creates an interesting semantic connection between the concepts of 'the coming morning' and 'tomorrow'.

Commonality: 95%

Guessability: 30%

Register: neutral

Mnemonics

  • Think of 'mañana' as containing 'maña' (skill/trick) + 'na' - as if it takes skill to get up in the morning or to plan for tomorrow.
  • The 'ñ' sound in 'mañana' can be remembered as the 'new' day coming (morning/tomorrow).
  • Associate the word with the English phrase 'in the mañana' to remember it means both 'morning' and 'tomorrow'.

Related Words, Phrases & Idioms

mañana por la mañana

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No translation

pasado mañana

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de mañana

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buenas mañanas

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el síndrome del mañana

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Synonyms

alba

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No translation

amanecer

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día siguiente

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Antonyms

noche

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tarde

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ayer

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Example Wordforms

Cultural Context

Beyond its literal meanings, 'mañana' has become associated with the stereotype of procrastination in Spanish-speaking cultures, as in the phrase 'mañana, mañana' (meaning to put things off until tomorrow). This stereotype is often misunderstood by non-Spanish speakers as laziness, when it actually reflects a more relaxed cultural attitude toward time and urgency.

Easily Confused With

maña

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Commonality: 0%

Explanation: 'Mañana' (with ñ) means 'morning/tomorrow' while 'maña' means 'skill' or 'trick'.

Notes: The accent falls on the first syllable in 'mañana' (MA-ña-na).

Mnemonic: Add an extra 'na' to 'maña' (skill) to get 'mañana' - it takes skill to wake up in the morning!

mañana (adverb)

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Commonality: 0%

Explanation: While the same word, 'mañana' can function as both a noun ('the morning/tomorrow') and an adverb ('tomorrow').

Notes: As a noun, 'mañana' is often preceded by articles (la mañana) or prepositions (por la mañana).

Mnemonic: When 'mañana' stands alone without articles or prepositions, it's usually the adverb meaning 'tomorrow'.