Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| soneca | /soˈnɛ.kɐ/ (Brazil) /suˈnɛ.kɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
| sesta | /ˈsɛs.tɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈsɛʃ.tɐ/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
feminine |
| cochilo | /kuˈʃi.lu/ (Brazil) /koˈʃi.lu/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
All these terms refer to a short period of sleep, especially during the day. To express the action of taking a nap, it is common to use the colloquial phrase tirar uma soneca, which utilizes the verb tirar (to take or remove) alongside the noun.
Which one should you use?
While all terms describe a nap, soneca is the most common everyday way to refer to one. In contrast, cochilo can sometimes imply a lighter, more unintentional period of dozing.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun cochilo has a corresponding direct verbal form, cochilar, which means to nap or doze. Other related verbs for the action of napping include sonecar and dormitar.
How do you pronounce it?
The word soneca is pronounced /soˈnɛ.kɐ/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word cochilo does not come from Latin but from 'Kimbundu', a Bantu language spoken in Angola.
- The word soneca is built from sono using the suffix -eca, which is frequently used in Portuguese to create informal or diminutive nouns.
- In Portuguese, the state of feeling sleepy is expressed by the noun sono, which is the same word used for the act of sleep itself.
Examples in context
- Vou tirar uma soneca.I'm going to take a nap.This sentence shows how to use the phrase tirar uma soneca to say one is going to take a nap.Tatoeba #1656968 by alexmarcelo, translation #1890992 by CK
- Preciso de um cochilo.I need a nap.This sentence demonstrates the use of the noun cochilo to express a need for a nap.Tatoeba #3408274 by Ricardo14, translation #3330288 by CK
- Sami tirou uma soneca.Sami took a nap.This sentence shows the use of the noun soneca to describe someone who took a nap.Tatoeba #11705932 by ajdavidl, translation #6715868 by OsoHombre
- Desculpe-me, eu preciso fazer uma pequena sestaExcuse me, I need to take a short nap
- Vou tirar um cochilo antes do jantarI'm going to take a nap before dinner
- Preciso de uma soneca para recuperar as energiasI need a nap to recharge my energy
- Hoje à tarde, vou descansar um pouco e tirar um cochilo.This afternoon, I'm going to take a break and nap.
- Após o almoço, costumo fazer uma sesta para me sentir mais disposto.After lunch, I usually take a nap to feel more refreshed.
- Queria conseguir tirar uma soneca rápida, mas estou muito agitado.I wish I could take a quick nap, but I'm too restless.
- 52 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Beatriz are talking in the living room.
- RodrigoVocê parece cansada, Beatriz.You look tired, Beatriz.
- BeatrizSim, eu preciso de uma soneca.Yes, I need a nap.
- RodrigoQuer dormir agora?Do you want to sleep now?
- BeatrizSim, vou tirar uma soneca rápida.Yes, I'm going to take a quick nap.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nap” translations and entries soneca, sesta, cochilo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cochilo, sesta, soneca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
