Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| somnoliento | /somnoˈljento/ |
| tener sueño | /teˌneɾ ˈsweɲo/ |
| cansado | /kanˈsado/ |
| adormecido | /adoɾmeˈθido/ /adoɾmeˈsido/ |
| soñoliento | /soɲoˈljento/ |
| dormijoso (desus.) |
To express the feeling of needing sleep, the most common method is the idiom tener sueño, which literally means 'to have sleepiness'. While English speakers use the adjective 'sleepy', Spanish speakers often use this verbal construction.
Which one should you use?
The word cansado is frequently used to mean 'sleepy' in English, but in Spanish it specifically refers to physical or mental fatigue (being tired) rather than the physiological urge to sleep. Somnoliento and soñoliento are more specific to the state of drowsiness. Dormijoso is an obsolete form and is no longer in common use.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because tener sueño uses the verb tener (to have), it is conjugated like a verb and does not change based on gender. In contrast, adjectives like somnoliento or cansado must match the gender and number of the person being described.
How do you pronounce it?
/somnoˈljento/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying soy sueño or soy somnoliento to mean you are currently feeling sleepy. This can mistakenly imply that sleepiness is a permanent personality trait. Instead, use the phrase tengo sueño.
Did you know?
- While tener sueño describes the physical need for sleep, the word sueño is also used to express a strong desire or ambition for something in life.
- The word sueño serves a double purpose in Spanish, meaning both 'sleep' and 'dream'.
- In many Romance languages, including Spanish, the concept of 'sleep' and 'dream' are intertwined through the same root, whereas English treats 'sleep' and 'dream' as entirely distinct words.
Examples in context
- ¿Tiene sueño o está cansado?Are you sleepy or tired?This sentence shows how to ask if someone is sleepy or tired using cansado.Tatoeba #13672219 by Seael, translation #7678891 by carlosalberto
- Bostezo porque estoy cansado.I am yawning because I feel sleepy.This sentence uses cansado to explain why someone is yawning.Tatoeba #2689059 by Shishir, translation #1728314 by Amastan
- Yo estaba cansado y lo que es peor, tenía sueño.I was tired and, what is worse, I was sleepy.This sentence demonstrates the difference between being tired and having the urge to sleep using cansado.Tatoeba #1003187 by hayastan, translation #261395 by Dejo
- Después de la larga reunión, me siento somnoliento/a.After the long meeting, I feel sleepy.
- A pesar de dormir bien, hoy siento sueño.Despite sleeping well, I feel sleepy today.
- No pude descansar lo suficiente anoche, tengo sueño.I couldn't rest enough last night, I am sleepy.
- Ayer trasnoché mucho, estoy cansado/a.I stayed up late last night, I'm tired/sleepy.
- No pude dormir bien anoche, tengo mucho sueño.I couldn't sleep well last night, I'm very sleepy.
- Me quedé viendo películas toda la noche, estoy adormilado/a.I stayed up all night watching movies, I feel sleepy.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are studying late at night.
- AlejandroMe siento muy somnoliento después de leer tanto.I feel very sleepy after reading so much.
- MaríaYo también, ya no puedo concentrarme.Me too, I can't concentrate anymore.
- Alejandro¿Crees que deberíamos ir a dormir?Do you think we should go to sleep?
- MaríaSí, Alejandro, estamos demasiado somnolientos para seguir.Yes, Alejandro, we are too sleepy to continue.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sleepy” translations and entries somnoliento, tener sueño, cansado, adormecido, soñoliento, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
