gaan slapen
The English phrase 'go to sleep' is expressed in Dutch as gaan slapen.
This phrase is used to describe the act of going to bed for the purpose of sleeping.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of the verb gaan (to go) and the infinitive slapen (to sleep).
Which one should you use?
While gaan slapen focuses on the act of sleeping, the alternative naar bed gaan focuses on the physical movement of going to bed.
How does it change in a sentence?
When giving a direct command to one person, gaan is shortened to ga in the form Ga slapen! However, when telling a group of people to go to sleep, the full infinitive gaan slapen is used as the imperative form.
Did you know?
- Dutch parents often use the phrase slaap lekker after gaan slapen, which translates to 'sleep tasty'.
- Dutch has a specific term slaapmuts, meaning 'sleep cap', and calling someone a slaapmuts implies they are slow-witted or overly sleepy.
- In very informal Dutch, you might hear people use the word pitten instead of slapen to mean 'to sleep' or 'to snooze'.
Examples in context
- Ik moet gaan slapen.I have to go to sleep.This sentence shows how to use gaan slapen to express necessity.Tatoeba #5966 by Dorenda, translation #1277 by vinhan
- Laten we gaan slapen.Let's go to sleep.This sentence shows how to use gaan slapen to make a suggestion.Tatoeba #7719802 by MarijnKp, translation #2007823 by CK
- Je zou moeten gaan slapen.You should go to sleep.This sentence shows how to use gaan slapen to give advice.Tatoeba #9038895 by Micsmithel, translation #7048689 by CM
- Je moet nu gaan slapen.You must go to sleep now.
- Ga nu maar naar bed, het is al laat.Just go to bed now, it's getting late.
- Ik ben moe, ik ga pitten.I'm tired, I'm going to crash.
- Slaap lekker!Sleep tight!
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noah and Sophie are tired after a long movie.
- NoahIk ben echt moe, ik ga slapen.I am really tired, I'm going to sleep.
- SophieIk ook, laten we nu gaan slapen.Me too, let's go to sleep now.
- NoahSlaap lekker, Sophie.Sleep well, Sophie.
- SophieSlaap lekker, Noah.Sleep well, Noah.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
