Question Regarding Today's Word: "Tarde"

Question

This sentence accompanied today's word, "tarde":

"Esta tarde están dando un concierto gratis de música clásica en el parque central de la ciudad."

The translation indicated that tarde was meant to be "evening," even though I usually associate it with "afternoon." I'm guessing that this is typically determined based on context. My question is about "tarde" and specific time frames. I know a number of you live in a variety of Spanish speaking countries. Can you enlighten me as to where you're at and when "tarde" becomes "noche" in your locale?

Answer 1

More or less: Mañana: Since you wake up to you have lunch. (6 AM to 2 PM) More or less (It depends) Mediodía: Since 12AM to 3 PM More or less. Tarde: Since you have lunch to there isn't sunlight. (2 PM to 7 PM in winter, 9 or 10 PM more or less). Noche: Since the Sun disappear to 12 PM Madrugada: Since 1AM to 7 AM more or less.

The uses can change depend on the people, the particular schedule... It isn't the same if you have to get up at 6AM to go to work, or if you are going home after a party at 6AM. Normaly:

Te levantas a las 6 de la mañana para ir a trabajar. Llegas a las 6 de la madrugada de fiesta. Depend on the context

jajaja It's true. Nuestro horario es un poco raro. Think that we have the same time zone than Germany or Poland instead the same than UK (geographycally it would have more sense). Franco changed the time zone to have the same hour than Germany (politic interests)

Thanks Keirlen - good insights. - vevans, Jan 13, 2014

The timezone is only one hour different, Keirlen.. You're only an hour ahead of us. - annierats, Jan 13, 2014

As far as I know you are in the same zone as Germany.. and sweden, and France.. It's the Uk that has British Summertime, I don't know why. - annierats, Jan 13, 2014

Answer 2

In Spain' la tarde' goes on until supper I think, or thereabouts. Supper is never before nine thirty pm, and often as late as midnight... So I've never survived aSpanish outing until it became 'noche'. I get tired at 11 pm.

You will laugh, but it is true. I think thre may be a short interlude between say 1 am and 5 am that might be ' la noche' but I'm not sure.

El horario español es algo muy raro.

Thanks Annie. I think we're on the same schedule....I'd need an extra cup of coffee to make it to "la noche." - vevans, Jan 13, 2014

Yes, the Spanish work very late, well into evening, but they tend to get up later than we do. - annierats, Jan 13, 2014

I work early in the morning and late in the evening....think I've gone about this all wrong!!! - vevans, Jan 13, 2014

Answer 3

There is no word in Spanish for "evening" so "tarde" lasts until the sun goes down - more or less.