Vou dormir agora
The English phrase "I am going to sleep now" is translated into Portuguese as Vou dormir agora.
An informal variation is Vou dar uma dormidinha, which means "I am going to take a little nap".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Vou dormir agora is composed of Vou (I go), dormir (to sleep) and agora (now).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In very informal spoken Brazilian Portuguese, the subject pronoun Eu is often omitted because the verb conjugation Vou already indicates the first person. The form Tô indo dormir agora. is also used in informal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb ir (in the form Vou) is used here as an auxiliary to express a near-future intention, similar to "going to" in English.
When do people say it?
When someone tells you they are going to sleep, common natural responses include Durma bem (Sleep well) or Boa noite (Good night).
Did you know?
- The word vou descends from the Latin vādō, which refers to walking or going, rather than the more common Latin īre.
- While Boa noite is used for 'good night', it is used both as a greeting when arriving at a place after dark and as a farewell when going to sleep.
- In Brazil, if someone says vou dar uma dormidinha, they are using a diminutive form that can either mean a short nap or a way to sound more affectionate and cozy.
Examples in context
- Vou dormir agora porque estou cansado.I am going to sleep now because I am tired.
- Estou com muito sono, vou dormir agora.I am very sleepy, I am going to sleep now.
- Amanhã tenho que acordar cedo, então vou dormir agora.I have to wake up early tomorrow, so I am going to sleep now.
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Juliana are talking at home late at night.
- RodrigoO filme acabou, mas eu estou exausto.The movie ended, but I am exhausted.
- JulianaVocê quer ver mais algum desenho?Do you want to watch one more cartoon?
- RodrigoNão, obrigado, vou dormir agora.No, thank you, I am going to sleep now.
- JulianaBoa noite, Rodrigo, durma bem.Good night, Rodrigo, sleep well.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries agora, dormir, vou, CC BY-SA 4.0.
