Temprano: early in Spanish

The idea

As an adverb modifying a verb, temprano stays unchanged even with a plural subject.

Examples

• Hoy salgo temprano de casa.Today I leave home early.
• El tren llega temprano.The train arrives early.
• ¿Trabajas temprano mañana?Do you work early tomorrow?
• Los niños se despiertan temprano.The children wake up early.
• Llegamos temprano a la estación.We arrive at the station early.
• Prefiero cenar temprano, no tarde.I prefer to have dinner early, not late.

Watch out

Temprano can also be an adjective in other contexts; the examples here use it as an adverb.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the word meaning early: Llego ___, antes de la hora acordada. (temprano / tarde)

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   temprano

   Temprano means early; the agreed time supplies the comparison.

2. Choose the adverb describing when they leave: Las niñas salen ___. (temprano / tempranas)

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   temprano

   The adverb temprano does not agree with niñas.

3. Choose the opposite of early: Prefiero salir temprano, no ___. (tarde / temprano)

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   tarde

   Tarde means late and contrasts with temprano.

Use it today

Say when you leave early and when you prefer not to arrive late.