Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Curfew in Spanish: Toque de Queda
Toque de queda · noun (masculine) · TOH-keh deh KEH-dah
Toque de queda is the standard Spanish expression for curfew. Literally meaning 'touch/bell of stillness,' it dates back to medieval times when a bell signaled people to stay indoors. Today it covers government-imposed curfews and household time limits alike.
TOH-keh deh KEH-dah — four words, stress on TOH and KEH. Each word is short and clearly separated.
El gobierno declaró un toque de queda a partir de las diez de la noche.
The government declared a curfew starting at ten at night.
Curfew in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for curfew, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| toque de queda | curfew | TOH-keh deh KEH-dah | Default, widely understood |
| hora límite | curfew | informal (time limit / deadline to be home) | |
| restricción nocturna | curfew | Latin America (nighttime restriction) |
How Native Speakers Use Toque de queda
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Government curfew
Durante la pandemia hubo toque de queda en muchas ciudades.
During the pandemic there was a curfew in many cities.
Toque de queda became very common during COVID-19 lockdowns across Latin America and Spain.
Parental curfew
Mis padres me ponen un toque de queda a las once.
My parents give me a curfew of eleven.
The phrase works for informal household rules about when teenagers must be home.
News report
Las autoridades levantaron el toque de queda esta mañana.
The authorities lifted the curfew this morning.
Levantar el toque de queda means to lift or end a curfew.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Toque de queda
Translating literally as curfew
Incorrect: Hay un curfú esta noche.
Correct: Hay un toque de queda esta noche.
Curfú or curfew does not exist in Spanish. The set phrase is toque de queda — it cannot be shortened or replaced with an anglicism.
Dropping part of the phrase
Incorrect: Declararon un toque a las nueve.
Correct: Declararon un toque de queda a las nueve.
Toque alone means touch, knock, or ring — it does not convey curfew without de queda. The full three-word phrase is required.
Lock in Curfew Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
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Common Questions About Curfew in Spanish
- How do you say curfew in Spanish?
- Curfew in Spanish is toque de queda (TOH-keh deh KEH-dah). It applies to both government-imposed restrictions and parental time limits.
- What does toque de queda literally mean?
- It literally translates to 'bell/signal of stillness.' Historically, a bell (toque) was rung to command people to stay still (queda, from quedar) in their homes. The phrase has been preserved unchanged since colonial times.
- Can I say hora límite instead of toque de queda?
- Hora límite means deadline or time limit and works informally for a household curfew ('my curfew is midnight'). However, for an official government curfew, toque de queda is the only correct term.