duérmete ya
/dweɾmete ʝa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "go to sleep already" is translated into Spanish as duérmete ya.
This phrase is typically used when expressing impatience or frustration, often directed at a child who is refusing to sleep.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase duérmete ya is composed of the reflexive imperative duérmete (go to sleep) and the adverb ya (already/now).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form duérmete is the informal imperative (tú) of the reflexive verb dormirse. To tell more than one person to go to sleep already, use the plural form duérmanse ya.
How do you pronounce it?
/dweɾmete ʝa/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, parents use the word ya as a rhythmic signal. When repeated as ya, ya, it can shift from an impatient command to a soothing sound used to calm a crying child.
- If you were speaking to a group of people in Spain, you would use dormíos ya, whereas in Latin America you would almost always use duérmanse ya.
- The word ya shares the same Latin ancestor, iam, as the French word déjà used in 'already'.
Examples in context
- Oye, ya es tarde. Anda, ve a dormir ya.Hey, it's late already. Go to sleep now.
- Duérmete ya, que es muy tarde.Go to sleep already, it is very late.
- Por favor, duérmete ya.Please, go to sleep already.
- ¡Duérmete ya, que mañana madrugas!Go to sleep already, you have to wake up early tomorrow!
Example conversation
A father is trying to get his daughter to stop playing with her toys.
- AlejandroLucía, deja de jugar.Lucía, stop playing.
- Lucía¡Solo un minuto más, papá!Just one more minute, dad!
- AlejandroNo, duérmete ya.No, go to sleep already.
- LucíaEstá bien, me voy a la cama.Okay, I'm going to bed.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
