dormir para siempre
/doɾmiɾ paɾa sjempɾe/from spelling rules
The English phrase "sleep forever" is translated into Spanish as dormir para siempre.
dormir para siempre is used as a poetic euphemism to describe the state of being dead, rather than as a literal description of a long nap.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the infinitive verb dormir (to sleep) and the prepositional phrase para siempre (for always/forever).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While dormir para siempre is a poetic way to speak of death, you may use the more formal expression descansar eternamente to mean "resting eternally".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, both dormir para siempre and dormir eternamente are common ways to express the idea of sleeping forever.
How do you pronounce it?
/doɾmiɾ paɾa sjempɾe/
Did you know?
- The Latin root dormīre used in dormir is also the ancestor of the English word 'dormitory', literally meaning a place for sleeping.
- While dormir para siempre is poetic, Spanish speakers often use the verb partir (to depart) to describe death, treating the end of life as a journey.
- The word dormir shares its ancient roots with the English word 'dream', both descending from the Proto-Indo-European root *drem-.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué hay de mal querer dormir para siempre?What's wrong with wanting to sleep forever?This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase dormir para siempre.Tatoeba #9131801 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #9131803 by rafaeldejesus8199
- No puedo soportar este estrés, solo quiero dormir eternamente.I can't bear this stress. I just want to sleep forever.
- En Argentina, el fútbol es una pasión. Después de correr tanto en la cancha, solo quiero dormir toda la vida.In Argentina, football is a passion. After running so much on the field, I just want to sleep for the rest of my life.
- Él ya está en un lugar donde puede dormir para siempre.He is already in a place where he can sleep forever.
- No es que quiera dormir para siempre, solo estoy cansada.It's not that I want to sleep forever, I'm just tired.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are discussing a character in a tragic novel.
- Sofía¿Crees que el protagonista quiere dormir para siempre?Do you think the protagonist wants to sleep forever?
- DanielParece que no tiene otra opción en su historia.It seems he has no other option in his story.
- SofíaEs una forma muy triste de verlo.It is a very sad way to see it.
- DanielSí, su destino es muy melancólico.Yes, his destiny is very melancholy.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dormir, para, siempre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
