How to Say "Sleeping" in French

dormant

The English word 'sleeping' can be translated into French as dormant.

The adjective dormant is used for sleep. Used to produce sleep (adj).

Meaning: used for sleep, used to produce sleep (adj)

How does it change in a sentence?

The adjective dormant must agree in number with the noun it modifies, taking the feminine plural form dormantes.

When someone is 'fast asleep', French uses the expression dormir à poings fermés. This translates literally to 'sleeping with closed fists', symbolizing a state of deep, undisturbed slumber.
The French expression dormir sur ses deux oreilles means to sleep soundly and without worry. It literally means 'to sleep on both of one's ears', implying total security.
To describe someone who is a 'heavy sleeper', French speakers use the phrase avoir le sommeil lourd. This literally means 'to have heavy sleep', treating the state of sleeping as a possession.

Nous avons trouvé Tom saoul, dormant sur un banc du parc.
We found Tom drunk sleeping on a park bench.
This sentence shows the use of dormant to describe a person sleeping on a bench.
Tatoeba #7562363 by tras, translation #7544687 by CK
La colombe au col noir roucoule sur les toits, et sur les flots dormants se répand une voix, une voix qui cadence une langue divine, et d'un accent si doux, que l'amour s'y devine.
The black-collared dove coos on the roofs, and over the sleeping waves a voice spreads, a voice which punctuates a divine language, and with an accent so sweet that love is divined in it.
This sentence illustrates the use of dormants to describe waves in a poetic context.
Tatoeba #6931981 by Adelpa, translation #12302517 by carlosalberto
Je dors bien la nuit.
I sleep well at night.
Il manque de sommeil.
He lacks sleep.
Il est temps d'aller dodoter.
It's time to go sleep.
Les bébés font dodo maintenant.
The babies are sleeping now.
J'aime bien roupiller le dimanche matin.
I enjoy snoozing on Sunday mornings.
J'ai besoin d'aller me coucher.
I need to go to sleep.
Les enfants doivent faire dodo maintenant.
The children have to sleep now.
Le volcan est dormant depuis des siècles.
The volcano has been dormant for centuries.

Emma and Nathan are discussing a science documentary.

Emma

Est-ce que ce volcan est vraiment dormant ?
Is this volcano really dormant?
Nathan

Oui, il ne montre aucun signe d'activité.
Yes, it shows no signs of activity.
Emma

C'est rassurant pour les habitants, Nathan.
That is reassuring for the inhabitants, Nathan.
Nathan

On ne peut jamais en être certain.
You can never be certain.

Sources

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