sei stanco?
/ˈsɛj ˈstan.ko/word by word
The English phrase "are you tired?" is translated into Italian as sei stanco?
This phrase is used to ask if someone feels a need to rest or sleep.
Which one should you use?
sei stanco? uses the singular "tu" (you) and is used for friends, family or people you know well. If you are addressing a group of people, you should use the plural form siete stanchi?
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are asking a woman if she is tired, you must use the feminine form stanca instead of the masculine stanco. In the formal Lei è stanco/a?, stanca is used to address a female. Additionally, è stanco? can be used to ask if a third-party male is tired. For the informal Sei stanco/a?, the phrase uses the second-person singular form sei.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsɛj ˈstan.ko/. The phrase has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- If you are very tired, an Italian might say sono a pezzi, which literally translates to 'I am in pieces'.
- If you want to emphasize that you are extremely tired, you can add morto to the phrase, as in Sono morto, which literally translates to 'I am dead'.
- Italians might use the phrase essere stufi instead of essere stanchi if they are 'tired' of a situation or a person, meaning 'fed up'.
Examples in context
- Sei stanco perché hai dormito poco?Are you tired because you didn't sleep much?
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Sofia are walking home after a long day.
- LorenzoSofia, sei stanco?Sofia, are you tired?
- SofiaSì, sono molto stanca.Yes, I am very tired.
- LorenzoVuoi riposare un po'?Do you want to rest a bit?
- SofiaSì, per favore.Yes, please.
