Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Tonight in Spanish
Esta Noche · adverb · EHS-tah NOH-cheh
Tonight in Spanish is esta noche, which literally translates to 'this night.' Unlike English, which has a single word for the concept, Spanish uses a two-word phrase. Esta noche covers all uses of tonight — whether you mean this evening, later tonight, or the night currently in progress.
Esta noche is pronounced EHS-tah NOH-cheh. Both words receive relatively even stress, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable of each word.
Esta noche vamos a cenar en un restaurante nuevo.
Tonight we are going to have dinner at a new restaurant.
Tonight in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for tonight, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| esta noche | tonight | EHS-tah NOH-cheh | Default, widely understood |
| esta noche | tonight | universal — used in all regions |
How Native Speakers Use Esta Noche
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Making plans
¿Quieres ir al cine esta noche?
Do you want to go to the movies tonight?
Inviting someone to an evening activity.
Describing the weather
Esta noche va a llover mucho, así que lleva un paraguas.
Tonight it is going to rain a lot, so bring an umbrella.
Using esta noche in a weather forecast context.
Talking about a show
El concierto de esta noche empieza a las nueve.
Tonight's concert starts at nine.
Using esta noche as a modifier before a noun (de esta noche).
Expressing tiredness
No tengo energía para nada; esta noche me acuesto a las ocho.
I have no energy for anything; tonight I am going to bed at eight.
Personal statement about evening plans.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Esta Noche
Translating word for word
Incorrect: Tonoche vamos a salir.
Correct: Esta noche vamos a salir.
There is no single-word equivalent of 'tonight' in standard Spanish. Always use the two-word phrase esta noche.
Confusing esta with este
Incorrect: Este noche hay una fiesta.
Correct: Esta noche hay una fiesta.
Noche is a feminine noun, so the demonstrative must be esta (feminine), not este (masculine).
Lock in Tonight Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Esta Noche used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using esta noche in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Esta noche vamos a cenar en un restaurante nuevo. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Tonight in Spanish
- Can I just say 'noche' to mean tonight?
- Saying noche on its own simply means 'night' in a general sense. You need the demonstrative esta (this) in front of it to pin the reference to the current night — esta noche. Without esta, a listener would not know which night you are talking about.
- Is there a difference between esta noche and anoche?
- The two phrases point in opposite directions on the timeline. Esta noche means tonight (the current or upcoming night), while anoche means last night (the previous night). They are never interchangeable.
- Where does esta noche go in a sentence?
- Esta noche is flexible. It can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence: 'Esta noche salimos,' 'Salimos esta noche,' or 'Vamos a salir esta noche' are all correct.