siesta
/ˈsjesta/feminine
The Spanish word siesta means an afternoon nap.
A siesta is a well-known term for an afternoon nap. To express the action of taking a nap, you can use the common phrases echarse una siesta or tomar una siesta.
Meaning: an afternoon nap (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
siesta is a feminine noun. The plural form is siestas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsjesta/
Did you know?
- The term siesta is a linguistic sibling to the English word 'sixth', as both stem from the same Latin root 'sextus'.
- The phrase echarse una siesta literally means 'to throw oneself a nap', reflecting a more colloquial and relaxed approach to resting.
- The concept of the siesta is so ingrained that it influenced the traditional Spanish working day, which often ends much later in the evening than in English-speaking countries.
Examples in context
- Ella no tomó una siesta.She didn't take a siesta.This example shows the use of siesta in a negative sentence.Tatoeba #4712530 by DarkHollow, translation #3693338 by karloelkebekio
- Tengo ganas de echarme una siesta.I feel like a siesta.This sentence uses siesta to express a desire to nap.Tatoeba #7128666 by arh, translation #12785411 by rul
- La palabra siesta viene del latín sexta, hora en la que los romanos descansaban.The word siesta comes from the Latin sexta, the time when the Romans rested.This sentence explains the etymology of the word siesta.Tatoeba #5932255 by arh, translation #9418495 by DJ_Saidez
- El señor Martínez suele tomar un descanso vespertino después del almuerzo.El señor Martínez usually takes an afternoon rest after lunch.
- ¡Necesito una siesta después de ese gran almuerzo!I need a siesta after that big lunch!
- Voy a echarme una siesta antes de salir esta noche.I'm going to take a siesta before going out tonight.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are talking at home after lunch.
- SofíaEstoy muy cansada, voy a dormir una siesta.I am very tired, I am going to take a nap.
- MateoYo también, la siesta es necesaria hoy.Me too, a nap is necessary today.
- Sofía¿Te despiertas en una hora, Mateo?Will you wake up in an hour, Mateo?
- MateoSí, me levantaré después de mi siesta.Yes, I will get up after my nap.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “siesta” translations and entries siesta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries siesta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
