Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| dormir | /doɾˈmiɾ/ | |
| jatear | /xateˈaɾ/ | |
| sornar | /soɾˈnaɾ/ | slang |
The verb dormir means to rest in state of reduced consciousness. Related nouns for this state include sueño and dormición.
Which one should you use?
While dormir is the verb 'to sleep', sueño is the noun used to describe the state of sleep or the feeling of being sleepy. Additionally, jatear and sornar are alternative ways to express the concept.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Dormir can be used euphemistically. Sornar is considered slang. For an informal way to specifically refer to taking a nap, you can use Echarse una siesta.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Dormir is a stem-changing verb. In the present tense, it follows an o-to-ue change, meaning 'I sleep' is duermo and 'he/she sleeps' is duerme. In the preterite tense, it is an i-to-u stem-changing verb, so 'he/she slept' is durmió.
How do you pronounce it?
/doɾˈmiɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say estar dormido to mean 'to be sleepy', but tener sueño is the correct way to express being sleepy.
Did you know?
- The expression dormir en los laureles means to become complacent or lazy after a success, rather than actually sleeping.
- The phrase echarse una siesta literally translates to 'throwing oneself a nap', using a verb usually reserved for tossing or casting objects.
- The English word 'dormitory' comes from the same Latin root as dormir, meaning a place designed specifically for sleeping.
Examples in context
- Me voy a dormir.I'm going to sleep.This example uses dormir to express the intent to go to sleep.Tatoeba #3252729 by Shishir, translation #1629771 by Spamster
- Voy a dormir acá.I'll sleep here.This example uses dormir to indicate a location for sleeping.Tatoeba #2474752 by hayastan, translation #2247809 by CK
- Deja dormir a Tom.Let Tom sleep.This example uses dormir to request that someone be left to sleep.Tatoeba #2625299 by Shishir, translation #2235859 by CK
- Voy a dormir tempranoI am going to sleep early
- Necesito dormir bienI need to sleep well
- Necesito descansarI need to sleep/rest
- Es importante descansar lo suficienteIt's important to get enough rest
- Voy a dormir hasta tarde mañanaI am going to sleep in tomorrow
- Voy a echarme una siesta después de comerI am going to take a nap after eating
- Después de la fiesta, tuve que dormir la monaAfter the party, I had to sleep it off
- 482 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking at home in the evening.
- DanielEstoy muy cansado, quiero dormir.I am very tired, I want to sleep.
- MaríaEstá bien, Daniel, ve a dormir.That's fine, Daniel, go to sleep.
- Daniel¿Tú vas a dormir también?Are you going to sleep too?
- MaríaNo, yo voy a leer un poco.No, I am going to read a little.
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.
