me estoy despertando
/me estoi despeɾtando/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I am waking up" is translated into Spanish as me estoy despertando.
This phrase is used to indicate that you are currently in the middle of the process of waking up from sleep.
Which one should you use?
While me estoy despertando emphasizes the ongoing process occurring right now, the form me despierto is used to describe a general habit or the completed action of waking up.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the present continuous construction, which combines the auxiliary verb estar with the gerund despertando. You can also say estoy despertándome to express the same meaning by placing the reflexive pronoun at the end of the gerund.
Did you know?
- Spanish has two distinct verbs for the morning routine: despertar refers to the moment your eyes open and your consciousness returns, while levantar refers to the physical act of getting out of bed.
- To say you are 'waking up' to a truth or a realization, Spanish speakers typically switch from despertar to the phrase darse cuenta, which literally means 'to give oneself account'.
- If you are being woken up by someone else, the reflexive pronoun me is dropped, changing the verb from the reflexive despertarse to the standard despertar.
Examples in context
- Me estoy despertando, colega.I am waking up, buddy.
- Estoy despertando, chaval/chavala.I am waking up, dude/gal.
- Me estoy despertando poco a poco.I am waking up little by little.
- Espera un momento, me estoy despertando.Wait a moment, I am waking up.
- Todavía me estoy despertando con este ruido.I am still waking up because of this noise.
Example conversation
Javier answers a phone call from Lucía early in the morning.
- Javier¿Hola? ¿Estás despierto, Javier?Hello? Are you awake, Javier?
- LucíaSí, pero me estoy despertando.Yes, but I am waking up.
- Javier¿Quieres que te lleve un café?Do you want me to bring you a coffee?
- LucíaSí, por favor, Lucía.Yes, please, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
