hora de dormir
/oɾa de doɾmiɾ/from spelling rulesfeminine
Bedtime in Spanish is hora de dormir.
The phrase refers to the time when one goes to bed to sleep.
Meaning: time when one goes to bed to sleep (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of hora (hour), de (of) and dormir (to sleep).
Which one should you use?
While hora de dormir focuses on the act of sleeping, hora de acostarse, literally 'time to lay oneself down', is a common alternative that focuses on the act of going to bed.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the phrase Hora de apagar la luz is used to indicate it's time to turn off the lights and go to bed.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because hora is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine article la if you are referring to la hora de dormir specifically.
How do you pronounce it?
/oɾa de doɾmiɾ/
Did you know?
- While English speakers might say 'it's time to hit the sack', a Spanish speaker might say es hora de ir al sobre in certain slang contexts, using 'sobre' (envelope) to mean 'bed'.
- Spanish has the word soñar, which means 'to dream', but the related word desvelado describes the specific state of being unable to sleep at bedtime.
- The word dormir is used in the common expression dormirse en los laureles, which means to become lazy or complacent due to success.
Examples in context
- Es tu hora de dormir.It's your bedtime.Tatoeba #3837505 by cueyayotl, translation #2064465 by CK
- -¿Todavía no te has dormido? -Vamos, que es hora de dormir.Are you still awake? It's bedtime!Tatoeba #7918472 by arh, translation #8973479 by sundown
- Es hora de dormir.It's bedtime.Tatoeba #1057957 by darinmex, translation #498458 by adjusting
Example conversation
A mother and her son are finishing a story in the bedroom.
- ElenaYa es la hora de dormir, Alejandro.It is already bedtime, Alejandro.
- Alejandro¿Me lees un cuento más?Can you read me one more story?
- ElenaNo, ahora toca descansar.No, now it is time to rest.
- AlejandroEstá bien, mamá.Okay, mom.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bedtime” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
