¿Estás despierto?
In Spanish, "are you awake?" is translated as ¿Estás despierto?
This phrase is used to ask if someone is no longer sleeping. The adjective used to describe being awake changes based on the gender and number of the people you are addressing: despierto is for males, despierta is for females and despiertos is for a group of males or a mixed group.
Which one should you use?
The adjective despierto describes a state of being rather than a continuous action. Because of this, the verb estar is used to ask the question instead of the verb tener.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing one person, use the third-person singular form está (as in ¿Está despierto? or ¿Está usted despierto/a?) to be formal. Use estás for the informal version. If you are asking a group of people if they are awake, use the plural form ¿Están despiertos?
Did you know?
- The adjective despierto can also be used to describe a person who is 'sharp' or 'clever' in their wits, much like calling someone 'bright' in English.
- In certain contexts, ¡Despierta! is used as a command meaning 'Wake up!' or 'Pay attention!', even if the person is already physically awake.
- While ¿Estás despierto? asks if you are awake, the phrase despabilarse is used when you need to 'wake up' your brain or shake off grogginess.
Examples in context
- Buenos días, señor. ¿Está usted despierto?Good morning, sir. Are you awake?
- Disculpe, ¿se encuentra despierta, señora García?Excuse me, are you awake, Mrs. García?
- Hola, ¿estás despierta? Tenemos que salir pronto.Hi, are you awake? We have to leave soon.
- Oye, ¿estás despierto todavía? Quería contarte algo.Hey, are you still awake? I wanted to tell you something.
- Oye, ¿estás despierto?Hey, are you awake?
Example conversation
Alejandro whispers to Elena in the morning.
- Alejandro¿Estás despierto?Are you awake?
- ElenaSí, pero tengo sueño.Yes, but I am sleepy.
- AlejandroEl desayuno está listo.Breakfast is ready.
- ElenaYa voy para allá.I am going there now.
