Ho sonno
In Italian, "I am sleepy" is expressed as Ho sonno.
A phrase used to say that you feel a need to sleep.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I have sleep".
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike adjective-based expressions, Ho sonno does not change based on the gender of the speaker.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to use the verb *essere* (to be) to say "I am sleepy". Instead, the standard way to express this sensation is to use the verb *avere* (to have) followed by sonno.
Did you know?
- If an Italian says mi prende il sonno, they are describing sleep as something that 'seizes' or 'grabs' them, rather than a feeling they simply have.
- The word sonno is closely related to the Latin 'somnus', which was the personification of sleep in Roman mythology.
- If you want to say you are 'very' sleepy, you might say Ho molto sonno, but in casual conversation, Italians often use the word un sacco to mean 'a lot of', as in Ho un sacco di sonno.
Examples in context
- Ho sonno, voglio andare a dormire.I am sleepy, I want to go to sleep.
Example conversation
Francesco and Martina are watching a movie late at night.
- FrancescoHo sonno, Martina. Finiamo il film domani?I am sleepy, Martina. Shall we finish the movie tomorrow?
- MartinaSì, Francesco, ce l'ho anch'io.Yes, Francesco, I am too.
- FrancescoSpegni la luce, per favore.Turn off the light, please.
- MartinaVa bene, buonanotte!Alright, goodnight!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sonno, CC BY-SA 4.0.
