Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| dormir | /doɾˈmiɾ/ | |
| jatear | /xateˈaɾ/ | |
| sornar | /soɾˈnaɾ/ | slang |
The primary verb for the act of resting in a state of reduced consciousness is dormir. To specifically express the transition of falling asleep, you should use the reflexive form dormirse. Related nouns for the state of sleep include sueño and dormición.
Which one should you use?
While dormir refers to the act of sleeping, you should use the phrase tener sueño if you want to say that you are sleepy. Additionally, dormir focuses on the state of sleep, whereas the reflexive dormirse describes the moment one falls asleep.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Dormir can be used euphemistically. In informal settings, you may encounter the slang term sornar or the term jatear.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Dormir is a stem-changing verb. In the present tense, the stem changes from o to ue, so "I sleep" is duermo. In the preterite tense, the stem changes from o to u, making "he/she slept" durmió.
How do you pronounce it?
/doɾˈmiɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word for 'sleep' shares a common ancestor with the English word 'dream'. Both words trace back to the same Proto-Indo-European root, *drem-.
- The phrase dormir en los laureles means to become complacent or lazy after a success, similar to 'resting on one's laurels'.
- If you tell someone estoy dormido, you could be literally asleep or figuratively 'oblivious' to what is happening around you.
Examples in context
- Me voy a dormir.I'm going to sleep.This sentence shows how to use dormir to say you are going to sleep.Tatoeba #3252729 by Shishir, translation #1629771 by Spamster
- Voy a dormir acá.I'll sleep here.This sentence uses dormir to indicate a location for sleeping.Tatoeba #2474752 by hayastan, translation #2247809 by CK
- Deja dormir a Tom.Let Tom sleep.This sentence uses dormir to express letting someone sleep.Tatoeba #2625299 by Shishir, translation #2235859 by CK
- El sueño es una parte importante para tener buena saludSleep is an important part of maintaining good health
- Necesito un poco de descansoI need some sleep
- Estoy agotado, necesito una buena dormidaI'm exhausted, I need a good sleep
- Hoy dormí demasiado, ahora tengo sueño de nuevo.I slept too much today, now I'm sleepy again.
- 482 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are in the living room late at night.
- JavierTengo mucho sueño, Elena.I am very sleepy, Elena.
- Elena¿Quieres dormir ya?Do you want to sleep now?
- JavierSí, necesito dormir unas horas.Yes, I need to sleep a few hours.
- ElenaEstá bien, descansa mucho.All right, get some good rest.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sleep” translations and entries dormir, jatear, sornar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dormir, sornar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
