ложиться спать
lozhitsya spat'
The English phrase "go to sleep" is translated into Russian as ложиться спать (lozhitsya spat').
This phrase is used to describe the act of going to bed for the purpose of sleeping. It is frequently paired with the word пора (it is time) to suggest or command that someone go to bed, as in пора ложиться спать (time to go to sleep).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive verb ложиться (to lie down) and the infinitive спать (to sleep).
Which one should you use?
While ложиться спать emphasizes the physical act of lying down in bed, the alternative идти спать is also commonly used to mean the same thing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb ложиться changes depending on the person. To say "I go to sleep", use ложусь спать. To say "you go to sleep" in an informal, singular sense, use ложишься спать.
How do you pronounce it?
lozhitsya spat'
Did you know?
- The Russian word for sleep спать is a distant relative of the English words 'soporific', 'hypnosis' and 'somnolent'.
- If you want to tell a child to go to sleep more gently, you might use the word баю-бай alongside the phrase, which mimics a rhythmic lullaby.
- In Russian culture, it is common to wish someone спокойной ночи (quiet night) only when they are actually going to sleep, not as a general evening greeting.
Examples in context
- Я должна ложиться спать.I have to go to sleep.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal necessity using ложиться спать.Tatoeba #2034636 by Balamax, translation #1277 by vinhan
- Тебе пора ложиться спать.It's time for you to go to sleep.This sentence is useful for telling someone it is time to use ложиться спать.Tatoeba #5013740 by marafon, translation #3177949 by CK
- Детям пора ложиться спать.It is time for kids to go to sleep.This sentence is useful for stating it is time for a group to use ложиться спать.Tatoeba #6024251 by marafon, translation #6024242 by Le_Samourai
- Пожалуйста, ложитесь спатьPlease, go to sleep
- Пора пойти спатьIt's time to go to sleep
- Ты, ложись спатьYou, go to sleep
- Заваливайся спатьPlop into bed and go to sleep
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is discussing their late-night schedule at home.
- Анастасия AnastasiaАндрей, ты уже собираешься ложиться спать?Andrey, ty uzhe sobirayesh'sya lozhit'sya spat'?Andrey, are you about to go to sleep already?
- Андрей AndreyДа, я очень устал сегодня.Da, ya ochen' ustal segodnya.Yes, I am very tired today.
- Анастасия AnastasiaТогда я тоже пойду ложиться спать.Togda ya tozhe poydu lozhit'sya spat'.Then I will go to sleep too.
- Андрей AndreyСпокойной ночи, Анастасия.Spokoynoy nochi, Anastasiya.Good night, Anastasia.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ложиться, спать, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
