Why is midday not actually 12 o'clock in Spain? скачать в хорошем качестве

Why is midday not actually 12 o'clock in Spain?

[00:00:04] Solar Timekeeping: Spanish time is governed by the solar day, not the clock . [00:00:54] High Street Hours: Mediodía is specifically the window between 2 PM and 5 PM when high streets shut down . [00:01:34] Deliveries and Midnight: A delivery promised for mediodía might not arrive until 5:45 PM . Medianoche (midnight) is strictly 12 AM . [00:02:26] The Early Hours: Madrugada covers the early morning hours (1 AM to 6 AM) before the sun rises . [00:03:04] Defining Madrugada: 5 AM is expressed as "cinco de la madrugada". "Hola! So even though we are not known for our timekeeping in Spain, there is one big cultural difference foreign people don't understand, and that is with our words 'mediodía', 'medianoche' and 'madrugada'. Now in Spain, the first one 'mediodía', which clearly translates to 'midday'—but seriously, I'm not joking, 'midday' is not 'midday' as it is in English. We go by the solar 'midday', not by the clock 'midday'. So in Spain, 'mediodía' is not 12 o'clock like it is in the UK; it means the middle of the day. The proof of this is you go to many shopping centres, or if you go online to our local 'Zenia Boulevard' shopping centre, it will say 'no cerramos al mediodía'—we don't close at midday. No shops close at 12 o'clock, so they're putting that to indicate that we don't shut between 2 o'clock and 5 o'clock. So in Spain, 'mediodía' is between 2 and 5. If they said they were going to deliver at mediodía, that means between 2 and 5, not at 12 o'clock. Most high street shops close at mediodía (between 2 and 5). 'Medianoche' (midnight) is 12 o'clock—that works the same, like Cinderella ('Cenicienta'). But we do have one extra one, which is 'madrugada'. This is the time of the night where British people would say morning. We don't say 4 de la mañana, because in Spain we say mañana when the sun has breached the horizon. 'Madrugada' literally means the early hours of the morning, the witching hour, anywhere from one o'clock until six o'clock. So five in the morning in Spanish is 'cinco de la madrugada'. If a Spaniard says they'll pop around on mediodía—basically stay at home all day!" James Spanish School: Speak Real Castellano Ready to stop being a perpetual tourist and start speaking the Spanish that people actually use? James Spanish School is the specialised online system for English-speaking expats who are serious about mastering Castellano. Developed over 25 years of face-to-face instruction in the heart of the community, this method is designed to get you speaking with confidence and clarity. I provide the linguistic tools you need to bypass the frustration of the expat bubble and navigate daily life using the language as it is actually spoken in Spain. If you are tired of textbook Spanish that nobody uses in the street, it is time for a different approach. Join the hundreds of students who have already moved beyond basic phrases to achieve real fluency. Start your journey to speaking authentic Castellano today at: https://jamesspanishschool.com LEGAL DISCLAIMER The content provided by James Spanish School is for educational and informational purposes only, focusing on the instruction of the Castellano language. No Professional Advice: We do not provide legal, financial, tax, or residency advice. The information shared is of a general nature and should not be used as a substitute for professional counsel. Consult a Professional: For specific administrative, financial, or legal matters regarding your life in Spain, always consult a qualified professional, such as a registered solicitor (Abogado) or administrative agent (Gestor). No Liability: James Spanish School accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken or decisions made based on the information provided in this video. Copyright © 2026 James Spanish School. All Rights Reserved.