duerme bien
/dweɾme bjen/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'sleep well' is translated into Spanish as duerme bien.
This phrase is used to wish someone a restful night of sleep.
Which one should you use?
The form duerme bien is a direct command. Adding que to the beginning to say que duermas bien is a very common way to express the same sentiment as a wish.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you might hear the phrase Que sueñes con los angelitos, which means 'May you dream with the angels'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use duerman bien when wishing a good night's sleep to a group of people (plural).
When do people say it?
To wish someone a good night's sleep, you can use Que tengas dulces sueños. to mean 'May you have sweet dreams.'
Did you know?
- The word bien shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'bonus'. Both derive from a Proto-Italic root meaning 'good'.
- In some contexts, Spanish speakers use the phrase descansa ('rest') as a more holistic alternative to duerme bien when the goal is physical recovery rather than just the act of sleeping.
- The Spanish language uses different forms of the verb 'to sleep' depending on whether you are speaking to a friend using 'tú' or being formal using 'usted'.
Examples in context
- Duerme bien y vivirás más.Sleep well and you will live longer.This sentence uses duerme bien to show the connection between sleep and longevity.Tatoeba #6612089 by arh, translation #9004204 by helloroto
- Duerme bien y vivirás mejor.Sleep well and you'll live a better life.This sentence uses duerme bien to show the connection between sleep and living a better life.Tatoeba #6612088 by arh, translation #9483507 by DJ_Saidez
- Duerme bien, hasta mañana.Sleep well, see you tomorrow.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are saying goodnight before going to their separate rooms.
- ElenaYa es muy tarde, Mateo.It is already very late, Mateo.
- MateoTienes razón, Elena. Me voy a la cama.You are right, Elena. I am going to bed.
- ElenaDuerme bien.Sleep well.
- MateoGracias, igualmente.Thanks, you too.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bien, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
