Amanecer vs. alba vs. madrugada

The Spanish language has multiple ways to describe the period when the night gives way to the day. This nuanced and rich vocabulary includes terms like 'amanecer', 'alba', and 'madrugada', all of which translate to 'dawn' in English. However, each carries slightly different connotations.

Amanecer

'Amanecer' refers to the exact moment that day begins when the sunrise is just visible over the horizon.
Es hermoso ver el amanecer en la montaña.
(It’s beautiful to see the dawn on the mountain.)

Alba

'Alba' slightly precedes 'amanecer' as it's used to refer to first light before the sun actually appears over the horizon. It's more often used in poetic or formal contexts.
Se levantó antes del alba para prepararse para su viaje.
(He got up before dawn to prepare for his journey.)

Madrugada

'Madrugada' generally regards a broader period, from midnight until sunrise. It does not necessarily imply daylight.
Me dormí bien entrada la madrugada después de terminar mi trabajo.
(I fell asleep well into the early hours after finishing my work.)

Summary

'Amanecer', 'alba', and 'madrugada' all refer to aspects of dawn but in slightly different contexts. While 'amanecer' denotes precisely the moment day breaks, 'alba' implies the earliest part of morning before sunrise. In contrast, 'madrugada' is more general, covering a time span from midnight till sunrise, and does not necessarily involve daylight.