estaba dormido
/estaba doɾmido/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I was asleep" is translated into Spanish as estaba dormido.
This phrase is used to describe the continuous state of being asleep during a specific time in the past.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree with the gender of the speaker. If the speaker is female, the adjective changes from dormido to estaba dormida.
How do you pronounce it?
/estaba doɾmido/
Did you know?
- If you were 'deeply asleep' instead of just 'asleep', you might say estaba profundamente dormido, but in many countries, people simply say estaba en el quinto sueño, meaning 'I was in the fifth sleep'.
- In Spanish, the word dormido can be used as a slang term to describe someone who is slow to react or oblivious to what is happening around them.
- The word dormido shares its root with the English word 'dormitory', which is a place intended for sleeping.
Examples in context
- Anoche estaba durmiendo profundamente cuando sonó el teléfono.Last night, I was sleeping deeply when the phone rang.
- Me encontraba durmiendo y de repente escuché un ruido extraño.I was sleeping, and suddenly I heard a strange noise.
- No te oí porque estaba dormido.I didn't hear you because I was asleep.
- No escuché el teléfono porque estaba dormido.I didn't hear the phone because I was asleep.
- Lo siento, estaba dormido cuando llamaste.I'm sorry, I was asleep when you called.
- Estaba dormido y no sentí nada.I was asleep and didn't feel anything.
Example conversation
Daniel explains to Lucía why he missed her phone call.
- Lucía¿Por qué no me contestaste anoche?Why didn't you answer me last night?
- DanielLo siento, Lucía, estaba dormido.I'm sorry, Lucía, I was asleep.
- LucíaEntiendo, te llamé muy tarde.I understand, I called you very late.
- DanielSí, estaba muy cansado.Yes, I was very tired.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dormido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
