madrugada

[mah-droo-GAH-dah]

nounfemininepl: madrugadas

early morning, dawn, the wee hours

1. The period of time between midnight and sunrise, especially the very early hours before dawn

I woke up in the early morning hours.

Acordei na madrugada.

2. A late night outing or party that extends into the early morning hours

We had a wild night out that turned into an all-nighter.

Tivemos uma madrugada animada com os amigos.

3. The act of waking or traveling during these early morning hours

The bus leaves at dawn.

O ônibus sai na madrugada.

NYC Slang

wee hours, the graveyard shift hours, after-hours

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

madrugada

Standard usage for early morning hours and late-night outings

Rio de Janeiro

madrugada

Common in context of nightlife and parties extending into early morning

São Paulo

madrugada

Standard usage, especially for transportation schedules

Portugal

madrugada

Standard usage; may also use 'de madrugada' to indicate 'at dawn' or 'in the early morning'

de madrugada (at the crack of dawn, in the early morning hours)

madrugada adentro (deep into the night/early morning)

uma madrugada (an all-nighter, a late-night party)

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