siestas
/sjestas/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'naps' is translated into Spanish as siestas.
For a more formal way to say 'to doze off' or 'to nap', you can use the verb dormitar.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is siesta, and siestas is the plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/sjestas/
When do people say it?
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, la siesta refers to the traditional midday rest period common in warm climates.
Did you know?
- The word siesta actually comes from the Latin phrase hora sexta, meaning 'the sixth hour'. This referred to noon, the midpoint of the day when the sun is strongest.
- Some Spanish speakers use the phrase quedarse frito, meaning 'to stay fried', to describe the moment someone suddenly falls into a deep nap.
- While siesta is famous worldwide, it is not a legal requirement and many large cities in Spain actually stay open throughout the day by using staggered shifts.
Examples in context
- Después de almorzar, me tomo una siesta para recuperar energíasAfter lunch, I take a nap to recharge
- Después del trabajo, ocasionalmente suelo dormitar unos minutos en mi oficinaAfter work, I occasionally doze off for a few minutes in my office
- Después de comer, suelo echarme una siestecita para recuperar energíasAfter lunch, I usually take a little nap to recharge
- Voy a tomar una siesta cortaI'm going to take a short nap
- Las siestas son muy relajantes.Naps are very relaxing.
- A veces tomo siestas cortas.Sometimes I take short naps.
- Él prefiere las siestas largas.He prefers long naps.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing their afternoon routine at home.
- Mateo¿Te gustan las siestas, Lucía?Do you like naps, Lucía?
- LucíaSí, me encantan las siestas.Yes, I love naps.
- MateoYo también necesito mis siestas.I also need my naps.
- LucíaMateo, tú siempre duermes mucho.Mateo, you always sleep a lot.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
