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anochecer

to get dark, to grow dark

verb ah-noh-cheh-SEHR Rare
Time Time of Day

Origin: From a- + noche (night) + -ecer (inceptive suffix).

Also means

dusk, nightfall (noun)

Usage Note

Anochecer is most commonly used as an impersonal verb — anochece (it's getting dark) — similar to amanecer (to dawn). It can also be used personally: anochecimos en el pueblo (night fell while we were in the village). As a masculine noun, el anochecer means 'dusk' or 'nightfall' — al anochecer (at dusk). The pair amanecer/anochecer (dawn/dusk) is a classic contrast.

Examples

"Al anochecer, encendieron las lámparas."

Natural Translation

At dusk, they lit the lamps.

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