dormir
/dɔʁ.miʁ/
To sleep in French is dormir.
The verb dormir is used to describe the act of resting in a state of reduced consciousness. Related terms include the noun sommeil for the state of sleep itself, and chassie for the substance found in the corner of the eyes, which can sometimes be used as a figurative objectification of sleep. If you are experiencing an inability to sleep, the term for this is insomnie (insomnia). While dreaming, you may experience rêver (to dream) or a cauchemar (nightmare). Someone who is currently in the state of being asleep is described as endormi(e).
Meaning: to rest in state of reduced consciousness (verb)
Which one should you use?
While dormir refers to the state of being asleep, the reflexive verb s'endormir is used specifically to describe the transition or the act of falling asleep. For a different nuance, roupiller is a way to describe deep sleep.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In the present tense, the second person singular form is dors (you sleep/are sleeping). The imperfect tense form is dormait (was sleeping). The past participle used for completed actions is dormi (slept).
How do you pronounce it?
/dɔʁ.miʁ/
Did you know?
- The term cauchemar for nightmare comes from the Old French cauquemare, combining 'press' and 'mare', referring to a mythical demon that sat on sleepers' chests.
- In French, the noun for the state of sleep is sommeil, which is used in expressions like avoir sommeil to mean 'to be sleepy'.
- The root of dormir is linked to the Proto-Indo-European word *drem-, which is a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'dream'.
Examples in context
- Je veux dormir !I want to sleep!This sentence shows how to express a desire to sleep using dormir.Tatoeba #5667062 by Yemana, translation #5111920 by WM3DAS
- Tu as pu dormir ?Did you manage to sleep?This sentence is useful for asking if someone managed to sleep using dormir.Tatoeba #7695149 by Maxence, translation #2554697 by CK
- Où vas-tu dormir ?Where are you going to sleep?This sentence is useful for asking about a destination for sleeping using dormir.Tatoeba #6385344 by Aiji, translation #2892770 by CK
- Je dors bien la nuitI sleep well at night
- J'ai besoin de me reposerI need to sleep/rest
- On a roupillé jusqu'à midiWe slept until noon
- Après une longue journée de travail, j'ai hâte de dormir dans mon lit confortableAfter a long day of work, I can't wait to sleep in my comfortable bed
- Les enfants roupillent déjà, ils doivent être épuisésThe kids are already fast asleep, they must be exhausted
- 474 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are talking about their late night.
- LéaEst-ce que tu as réussi à dormir ?Did you manage to sleep?
- GabrielNon, je n'ai pas pu dormir.No, I couldn't sleep.
- LéaTu devrais essayer de dormir un peu.You should try to sleep a bit.
- GabrielTu as raison, je vais dormir maintenant.You are right, I am going to sleep now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sleep” translations and entries dormir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dormir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
