Spanish word

madrugar

Pronunciation

IPA/maðɾuˈɣaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbwake up early

Example

Siempre madrugo a las seis.

I always wake up at six.

Illustration for madrugar (wake up early)

More examples

Tengo que madrugar mañana para coger el tren.

I have to wake up early tomorrow to catch the train.

Core concept

Leaving bed in the pre-dawn hours before sunrise.

Common phrases

  • tener que madrugar

    have to wake up early

  • madrugar a las seis

    wake up early at six

  • madrugar para el trabajo

    wake up early for work

Similar words

levantarse: Get out of bed after sleeping.
despertarse: Wake from sleep and become awake, possibly while still lying in bed.

Definition in Spanish

Levantarse muy temprano, cerca del amanecer o antes de la hora habitual.

Word origin

The verb derives from madrugada 'pre-dawn', ultimately from Latin matutinus, plus the verb-forming suffix -ar, so it denotes rising around dawn.

Usage tips

  • A single early-rising occasion is expressed with Hoy madrugué, while a habitual action is expressed with Suelo madrugar.

Other meanings

  • get up at dawnverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word