noche
Lemma Details
Translation: night; evening; nighttime
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: From Latin 'noctem' (accusative of 'nox'), which shares the same Indo-European root (*nokʷt-) as English 'night'. This connection is evident in the similar sounds and meanings across many European languages. The Latin root also gives us English words like 'nocturnal' (active at night) and 'equinox' (equal night).
Commonality: 95%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of 'no check' - at night, it's too dark to check things visually.
- Sounds a bit like 'notch' - imagine the sun setting into a notch in the horizon, bringing night.
- Connect with English 'nocturnal' - animals that are active at night.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking cultures, 'la noche' often refers to the evening social period, not just darkness. Spanish nightlife is famously vibrant, with dinner typically starting around 9-10pm and social activities continuing well past midnight. 'Noche Buena' (Christmas Eve) is often more important than Christmas Day itself in many Spanish-speaking countries.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Noche' means 'night' in general, while 'anoche' specifically means 'last night'.
Confused word:
Anoche fui al cine.
Last night I went to the cinema.
Notes: 'Anoche' is a single word that functions as an adverb of time, while 'la noche' is a noun phrase.
Mnemonic: 'Anoche' has the 'a' prefix, which can remind you of 'ago' - it refers to a night that has already passed.
Explanation: 'Noche' is the night itself, while 'nochero' can refer to a nightstand or a person who works at night.
Notes: Usage of 'nochero' for nightstand varies by country; in some regions 'mesita de noche' is more common.
Mnemonic: Think of 'nochero' as something or someone related to 'noche' (night).