ojos soñolientos
/oxos soɲoljentos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "sleepy eyes" is translated into Spanish as ojos soñolientos.
This phrase is used to describe eyes that look tired or heavy because a person is feeling sleepy.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ojos (eyes) and soñolientos (sleepy/drowsy).
Which one should you use?
While ojos soñolientos specifically implies drowsiness, ojos cansados is a very common way to describe eyes that look heavy or exhausted. A common alternative way to express having sleepy eyes is ojos con sueño. In an informal context, you might use ojos dormilones or ojos con legañas if you are specifically referring to eyes that have crust or "sleep" in the corners.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the singular form, both the noun and the adjective must be singular: ojo soñoliento.
Did you know?
- The phrase tener sueño is used for 'being sleepy', but because sueño also means 'dream', you can literally say you 'have a dream' to mean you are tired.
- If you describe someone as having ojos dormilones, you are not just saying they are tired, but suggesting they are 'sleepyheads' who love to oversleep.
- The adjective soñoliento is much more formal and literary than the common way of saying someone is sleepy, which is simply saying they tienen sueño.
Examples in context
- La falta de sueño dejó mis ojos adormilados.Lack of sleep left my eyes sleepy.
- No puedo abrir los ojos porque los tengo con legañas.I can't open my eyes because they're filled with sleep.
- Tienes unos ojos soñolientos esta mañana.You have sleepy eyes this morning.
- Sus ojos soñolientos delataban su cansancio.His sleepy eyes betrayed his tiredness.
- No me gustan mis ojos soñolientos después de trabajar.I don't like my sleepy eyes after working.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are having breakfast in the kitchen.
- ElenaBuenos días, Daniel. ¿Dormiste bien?Good morning, Daniel. Did you sleep well?
- DanielNo mucho, me desperté muy temprano.Not much, I woke up very early.
- ElenaSe nota, tienes los ojos soñolientos.It shows, you have sleepy eyes.
- DanielSí, necesito un café ahora mismo.Yes, I need a coffee right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
