ve a acostarte
/be a akostaɾte/from spelling rules
To say "go lay down" in Spanish, use ve a acostarte.
The phrase is a command or suggestion telling someone to go to bed or lie down to rest. It is commonly used by parents when telling a child it is time for bed or by someone suggesting a sick person rest.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ve (go), a (to) and acostarte (to lay yourself down).
Which one should you use?
You can also use the single word acuéstate if you want to be more direct and simply say "lie down" without the "go" part.
How do you pronounce it?
/be a akostaɾte/
Did you know?
- The verb acostar comes from the word costado, meaning 'side'. To tell someone to go lay down is literally telling them to put themselves on their side.
- The command ve is an unusual case where a single syllable can stem from two different Latin roots: the verb 'to see' and the verb 'to go'.
- If you are speaking to an elderly person or a stranger, you must switch to vaya a acostarse. Using the version on this page with an elder would be considered quite rude.
Examples in context
- Abuela, acuéstese, por favorGrandma, please lay down
- Oye, acuéstate, necesitas descansarHey, lay down, you need to rest
- Estás muy cansado, ve a acostarte.You are very tired, go lay down.
- Si te duele la cabeza, ve a acostarte.If your head hurts, go lay down.
- Ya es tarde, ve a acostarte ahora.It is late already, go lay down now.
Example conversation
Lucía is worried because Javier looks pale and exhausted.
- Lucía¿Te sientes mal, Javier?Do you feel unwell, Javier?
- JavierSí, me siento un poco mareado.Yes, I feel a little dizzy.
- LucíaVe a acostarte un rato.Go lay down for a while.
- JavierEstá bien, gracias Lucía.Okay, thanks Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, ve, CC BY-SA 4.0.
