a merge la culcare
To go to sleep in Romanian is a merge la culcare.
The phrase is used to describe the action of going to bed with the intention of sleeping.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase a merge la culcare literally translates to 'to go to the sleeping/lying down'.
Which one should you use?
While a merge la culcare focuses on the act of going to bed to sleep, the verb a dormi refers specifically to the state of being asleep.
How does it change in a sentence?
When giving a command to go to sleep, you should use different forms depending on who you are addressing. If you are telling one person informally to go to bed, use du-te la culcare. If you are speaking to more than one person, or addressing someone formally, use duceți-vă la culcare.
When do people say it?
A common way to wish someone a good night or to tell them to go to sleep is to say Somn plăcut, which literally means 'pleasant sleep'.
Did you know?
- The verb merge meaning 'to go' comes from the Latin word mergere meaning 'to plunge' or 'to dip'.
- The word merge in a merge la culcare is related to the Albanian word mërgoj, which means 'to move away'.
- The word culcare is not a simple noun for 'bed' but is formed by adding a suffix to the verb culca, meaning 'to lie down'.
Examples in context
- Copii, adormiți-vă repede și aveți un somn dulce.Children, fall asleep quickly and have a sweet sleep.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Ioana are talking in the living room late at night.
- GabrielSunt foarte obosit, Ioana.I am very tired, Ioana.
- IoanaȘi eu simt că îmi închid ochii.I feel my eyes closing too.
- GabrielAtunci a merge la culcare acum.Then let's go to sleep now.
- IoanaNoapte bună, Gabriel!Good night, Gabriel!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, culcare, la, merge, CC BY-SA 4.0.
