rattraper le sommeil
To catch up on sleep in French is rattraper le sommeil.
This phrase is used when you are sleeping more than usual to make up for a period of not getting enough rest.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb rattraper (to catch up or recover) and le sommeil (the sleep).
How does it change in a sentence?
In natural speech, it is very common to replace the definite article le with the possessive adjective son to create the phrase rattraper son sommeil, which translates to 'to catch up on one's sleep'.
Did you know?
- When talking about a lack of sleep, French speakers often use the word dette (debt), treating missing sleep as a 'sleep debt' that must be paid back.
- The verb rattraper is formed by adding the prefix re- to attraper, which means 'to catch' or 'to trap'.
- French uses the same word sommeil to describe both the state of sleeping and the feeling of being sleepy.
Examples in context
- Je rattrape mon sommeilI catch up on sleep
- Nous récupérons notre sommeilWe catch up on sleep
- J'ai vraiment besoin de rattraper mon sommeil. J'étais debout toute la nuit à travailler.I really need to catch up on sleep. I was up all night working.
- Je dois rattraper mon sommeil ce week-end.I need to catch up on my sleep this weekend.
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are talking about their busy week.
- ManonJe suis épuisée, j'ai trop travaillé.I'm exhausted, I worked too much.
- GabrielTu devrais essayer de rattraper le sommeil demain.You should try to catch up on sleep tomorrow.
- ManonOui, je vais dormir jusqu'à midi.Yes, I'm going to sleep until noon.
- GabrielC'est une excellente idée, Manon.That is a great idea, Manon.
