somnífero
/somˈnifeɾo/
The English phrase 'drowsy' can be translated into Spanish using several forms. If unsure, use somnífero. Wiktionary also lists soñoliento and soporífero.
Meaning: disposing to sleep (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| somnífero | /somˈnifeɾo/ |
| soñoliento | /soɲoˈljento/ |
| soporífero | /sopoˈɾifeɾo/ |
Which one should you use?
somnífero is typically used to describe substances, such as medication, that induce sleep rather than a person's state of being. In contrast, soñoliento means sleepy.
How do you pronounce it?
/somˈnifeɾo/
Did you know?
- The term somnífero is a direct descendant of the Latin 'somnus', the personification of sleep in Roman mythology.
- Spanish speakers might use the phrase tener sueño to say they are drowsy, which literally translates to 'to have sleep' instead of 'to be sleepy'.
- While soñoliento describes a person feeling sleepy, the word soporífero is often used to describe a boring speech or a dull movie that makes the audience feel drowsy.
Examples in context
- Me siento somnoliento después de una larga jornada de trabajo.I feel drowsy after a long day of work.
- Después de tomar el medicamento, estaba adormilada durante horas.After taking the medication, I felt drowsy for hours.
- Después de ver esa película tan aburrida, me siento modorra.After watching that boring movie, I feel drowsy.
- No pude dormir bien anoche, así que tengo mucho sueño.I couldn't sleep well last night, so I'm very drowsy.
- El equipo está somnoliento después de la reunión maratónica.The team is drowsy after the marathon meeting.
- Después de comer tanto, estoy adormilado/a. ¿Podemos descansar un poco?After eating so much, I'm drowsy. Can we rest a bit?
- Hoy me siento modorro/a, no tengo ganas de hacer nada.Today I feel drowsy, I don't feel like doing anything.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are in a pharmacy discussing a cold remedy.
- Lucía¿Este jarabe es somnífero, Mateo?Is this syrup sleep-inducing, Mateo?
- MateoSí, Lucía, te dará mucho sueño.Yes, Lucía, it will make you very sleepy.
- LucíaEso es justo lo que necesito.That is exactly what I need.
- MateoEntonces tómalo antes de acostarte.Then take it before you go to bed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “drowsy” translations and entries somnífero, soñoliento, soporífero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries somnífero, soporífero, soñoliento, CC BY-SA 4.0.
