Mañana y madrugada

Question

What are the differences between them?

Tengo mucho que hacer a las cinco de la mañana.

Tengo mucho que hacer a las cinco de la madrugada.

Same? What are the differences?

Answer 1

I don't see any difference in those sentences. However, "manaña" is any time between the moment the sun raises (dawn) until about mid-day, or even later, depending on the country. "Madrugada" is only when the Sun raises, i.e. very early.

Answer 2

rae link

Tiempo posterior a la medianoche y anterior al amanecer

this is it, we even say la una de la madrugada... - 00494d19, Jan 27, 2011

Good response, Lorenzo! Thanks!! - territurtle, Nov 18, 2011

Answer 3

In Spain imho 'la madrugada" is used to represent the time between roughly 02:00 and dawn. In the USA one says "middle of the night" but that is far more vague

Answer 4

Hi Zhmelissa,

In my humble opinion, "mañana" and "madrugada" are not the same as the first one means "morning" and the second "dawn". Therefore, to me your second sentence doesn't sound quite right because dawn doesn't have several hours, there is only one time of dawn a day. Maybe the use of "madrugada" differs per country, but to me only your first sentence sounds right.

Saludos, Chica