сън
săn[sɤn]
The Bulgarian word for sleep is сън (săn).
сън refers to the state of reduced consciousness. It can function as a noun meaning 'sleep' and also serves as the root for many related verbs and adjectives.
Meaning: to rest in state of reduced consciousness (verb)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
While сън is the noun used to describe the state of sleep, the verb спя is used to describe the actual action of sleeping.
How do you pronounce it?
săn
When do people say it?
When you wish to say 'good night' in Bulgarian, you say добра нощ.
Did you know?
- In Bulgarian folklore, 'sleep' is sometimes personified as a force that can be 'stolen' or 'cast' upon someone, similar to a magic spell, rather than just a natural process.
- The word сън is closely related to the English word 'supine', as both share a distant ancestral root referring to the position of lying down.
- If someone is behaving irrationally or is completely disconnected from reality, a Bulgarian might say they are сънува, meaning 'to dream', as a way to call them unrealistic.
Examples in context
- Мисля, че имаш нужда от сън.I think you need some sleep.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone needs sleep using сън.Tatoeba #2463688 by korobo4ka, translation #2408628 by CK
- Мисля, че ти трябва малко сън.I think you ought to get a little sleep.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone ought to get a little sleep using сън.Tatoeba #2824053 by korobo4ka, translation #2409229 by CK
- Сега трябва да си спя.I need to sleep now.
- Обича да спи дълго през уикенда.He loves to sleep late on weekends.
Example conversation
Dimitar and Viktoria are talking about their day at home.
- Димитър DimitarИзглеждаш много уморена, Виктория.Izglezhdash mnogo umorena, Viktoriya.You look very tired, Viktoria.
- Виктория ViktoriyaДа, не успях да си взема сън.Da, ne uspyah da si vzema san.Yes, I couldn't get any sleep.
- Димитър DimitarТрябва да си легнеш рано днес.Tryabva da si legnesh rano dnes.You should go to bed early today.
- Виктория ViktoriyaПравилно е, Димитър, ще го направя.Pravilno e, Dimitar, shte go napravya.That's right, Dimitar, I will do that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry сън, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries сън, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
