¿quieres ir a dormir?
The phrase "do you want to go to bed?" in Spanish is translated as ¿quieres ir a dormir?
This question is used to ask if someone wants to go to sleep.
Which one should you use?
While ¿quieres ir a dormir? focuses on the act of sleeping, the alternative ¿quieres ir a la cama? focuses on the physical location of the bed.
When do people say it?
A natural way to decline the suggestion is to say No, todavía no (No, not yet).
Did you know?
- Spanish has a specific word sobremesa, which refers to the time spent talking at the table after a meal, often delaying the moment someone asks ¿quieres ir a dormir?
- The word ir is a linguistic puzzle because its different forms come from three separate Latin verbs: īre for the infinitive, vādere for voy and esse for fui.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, instead of asking ¿quieres ir a dormir?, parents might use the phrase ¡a la cama!, which functions as a command to 'go to bed'.
Examples in context
- Ya es tarde, ¿quieres ir a dormir?It is late, do you want to go to bed?
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are sitting on the sofa late at night.
- LucíaEstoy muy cansada, ¿quieres ir a dormir?I am very tired, do you want to go to sleep?
- MateoSí, yo también tengo sueño.Yes, I am sleepy too.
- LucíaVamos entonces.Let's go then.
- MateoBuenas noches, Lucía.Good night, Lucía.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, dormir, ir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
