Tengo sueño
/tenɡo sweɲo/from spelling rules
To say "I am sleepy" in Spanish, use Tengo sueño.
Tengo sueño is used when you want to express the physiological urge to sleep.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I have sleepiness".
Which one should you use?
Use Tengo sueño to express the urge to sleep, whereas Estoy cansado/a is used to express general fatigue or being tired.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain and parts of Latin America, you may also hear Estoy con sueño.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo sweɲo/
Did you know?
- Because sueño means both 'sleepiness' and 'dream', saying Tengo un sueño can mean 'I have a dream' in the sense of a life goal or ambition.
- The Latin root 'somnus' found in sueño also gave rise to the English word 'somnambulist', describing someone who walks in their sleep.
- In Spanish, you 'possess' sleepiness rather than 'being' it, which is why you use Tengo instead of Soy.
Examples in context
- No dormí lo suficiente anoche, así que tengo mucho sueño ahora.I didn't sleep enough last night, so I am very sleepy now.
- Terminé de trabajar tarde anoche, y hoy tengo un sueño tremendo.I finished work late last night, and today I am incredibly sleepy.
- Tengo sueño después de la clase.I am sleepy after class.
- No puedo estudiar porque tengo sueño.I cannot study because I am sleepy.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are watching a movie on the couch.
- MateoSofía, tengo sueño.Sofía, I am sleepy.
- SofíaYo también, Mateo.I am too, Mateo.
- Mateo¿Apagamos la televisión?Shall we turn off the television?
- SofíaSí, vamos a la cama.Yes, let's go to bed.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
