parálisis del sueño
/paɾalisis del sweɲo/from spelling rulesfeminine
Sleep paralysis in Spanish is parálisis del sueño.
The term refers to the inability to move or speak while falling asleep or upon awakening.
Meaning: inability to move or speak while falling asleep or upon awakening (noun)
Which one should you use?
Parálisis Nocturna is another formal way to say sleep paralysis.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun parálisis is feminine, so when using the definite article, it is preceded by the feminine article la (e.g., la parálisis del sueño).
How do you pronounce it?
/paɾalisis del sweɲo/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, sleep paralysis is colloquially associated with 'the old Hag' or local supernatural entities, rather than just a medical condition.
- The word sueño shares a common ancestor with the English word 'somnambulist' through the Latin root somnus.
- The word sueño is a linguistic chameleon that means both 'sleep' and 'dream'. Depending on the context, it can refer to the physical state of slumber or the mental images experienced while sleeping.
Examples in context
- Durante mi parálisis nocturna, siento presión en el pecho.During my nocturnal paralysis, I feel pressure in my chest.
- Tuve un episodio de parálisis del sueño anoche.I had an episode of sleep paralysis last night.
- La parálisis del sueño puede ser muy aterradora.Sleep paralysis can be very terrifying.
- No puedo dormir por miedo a la parálisis del sueño.I can't sleep because of fear of sleep paralysis.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are talking in a coffee shop about their sleep patterns.
- Alejandro¿Has sufrido alguna vez parálisis del sueño?Have you ever suffered from sleep paralysis?
- LucíaSí, me pasa muy seguido.Yes, it happens to me very often.
- AlejandroQué mal, eso es muy angustiante.That's bad, that is very distressing.
- LucíaLo es, pero ya me acostumbré.It is, but I've gotten used to it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sleep paralysis” translations and entries parálisis del sueño, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries del, sueño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
