sdraiarsi
/zdraˈjar.si/
To lay down in Italian is sdraiarsi.
Meaning: to place on the ground (verb)
Which one should you use?
Use sdraiarsi when you are lying yourself down, but use stendere if you are laying an object down.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because sdraiarsi is a reflexive verb, you must use a reflexive pronoun like mi to say "I lie down". The imperative form for 'you all, lie down' is sdraiati.
How do you pronounce it?
/zdraˈjar.si/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- While sdraiarsi is for people, if you accidentally use stendere for a person, you might sound like you are 'stretching' them out like a piece of fabric or even 'laying them out' in a more morbid, clinical sense.
- The word sdraio is a common noun derived from the same root, used specifically to describe a deckchair or a reclining chair.
- To describe someone who is 'flat on their back', Italians use sdraiato, but if someone is lying face down, they use the more specific term a pancia in giù.
Examples in context
- Si prega di distendersiPlease lay down
- Mi butto sul divanoI'm going to lay down on the couch
- La prego di distendersi sulla sedia a sdraioPlease lay down on the deckchair
- Vado a buttarmi sul letto per un po'I'm going to flop onto the bed for a while
- Mi sdraio un attimo sulla spiaggiaI lay down on the beach for a moment
- Mi sdraio sul divano.I lie down on the sofa.
Example conversation
Matteo and Chiara are tired after a long walk.
- MatteoSono stanchissimo, voglio sdraiarsi un po'.I am exhausted, I want to lie down for a bit.
- ChiaraHai ragione, Matteo. Facciamolo.You are right, Matteo. Let's do it.
- MatteoC'è un prato perfetto qui.There is a perfect lawn here.
- ChiaraSì, Chiara è d'accordo, sdraiarsi qui è l'ideale.Yes, Chiara agrees, lying down here is ideal.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sdraiarsi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
