The small hours Meaning in English
expression
ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈsmɔɫ/ /ˈaʊɝz/, /ˈaʊɹz
thuh SMALL OW-erz
ðə, ði/ /smˈɔːl/ /ˈaʊəz
thuh sm-AWL OW-uhz
Definition
The period of time after midnight and before sunrise, usually between 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 or 5:00 a.m.
Usage & Nuances
Used mainly in British and formal English. Refers to very late night/early morning, not simply 'early morning.' Often used with verbs like 'work,' 'wake,' or 'be up' ('up in the small hours'). Rarely used in American everyday conversation.
Spanish: las primeras horas de la madrugadaPortuguese (BR): as primeiras horas da madrugadaPortuguese (PT): as primeiras horas da madrugadaChinese (Simplified): 凌晨Chinese (Traditional): 凌晨Hindi: रात के आखिरी पहरArabic: ساعات الفجر الأولىBengali: ভোররাত - রাতের শেষ অংশRussian: глубокая ночь - предрассветные часыJapanese: 未明（みめい） - 夜明け前Vietnamese: rạng sáng - giờ tờ mờ sángKorean: 심야 - 새벽녘Turkish: gece yarısı sonrası - sabahın ilk saatleriUrdu: پہری رات - سحر کے اوقاتIndonesian: dini hari - jam-jam menjelang subuh
Example Sentences
He fell asleep in the small hours of the morning.
basic
They studied until the small hours.
basic
The party ended in the small hours.
basic
I was still awake in the small hours, thinking about my future.
natural
Sometimes inspiration strikes in the small hours when the world is quiet.
natural
We ended up talking and laughing into the small hours.
natural