me tengo que ir a dormir
/me tenɡo ke iɾ a doɾmiɾ/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "I have to go to sleep" is expressed as me tengo que ir a dormir.
The phrase is a statement used to express that it is necessary for the speaker to go to bed. You can also use me tengo que acostar if you want to specifically say "I have to go to bed" or "I have to lie down".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase me tengo que ir a dormir literally translates to "I have to go myself to sleep".
Which one should you use?
While me tengo que ir a dormir means "I have to go to sleep", you can say tengo que dormir to mean "I have to sleep". This version omits the "to go to" part of the phrase.
How does it change in a sentence?
The reflexive pronoun me is flexible in this phrase. While the default form starts with the pronoun, you can move it to the end of the infinitive verb ir to say tengo que irme a dormir.
How do you pronounce it?
/me tenɡo ke iɾ a doɾmiɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word for 'go' ir is a linguistic puzzle because its different tenses come from three distinct Latin verbs: īre, vādere and esse.
- The phrase me tengo que acostar uses the verb acostar, which comes from costado meaning 'side', literally describing the act of lying on one's side.
- While dormir means 'to sleep', Spanish also uses the phrase quedarse dormido to describe the specific act of accidentally oversleeping.
Examples in context
- Tengo que irme a dormir temprano.I have to go to sleep early.
- Mañana tengo una reunión temprano, así que tengo que irme a dormir ahora.Tomorrow, I have an early meeting, so I have to go to sleep now.
- Disculpe, pero tengo que irme a dormir.I'm sorry, but I have to go to sleep.
- Me tengo que ir a dormir ya.I have to go to sleep now.
- Mañana madrugo, así que me tengo que ir a dormir.I wake up early tomorrow, so I have to go to sleep.
- Estoy muy cansado y me tengo que ir a dormir.I am very tired and I have to go to sleep.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are talking on the phone late at night.
- MateoHola, ¿todavía estás despierta, Lucía?Hello, are you still awake, Lucía?
- LucíaSí, pero ya es muy tarde.Yes, but it is already very late.
- MateoTienes razón, me tengo que ir a dormir.You are right, I have to go to sleep.
- LucíaDescansa, Mateo. Buenas noches.Rest, Mateo. Good night.
