sueño
/ˈsweɲo/
sueño is the Spanish word for 'dream' (a series of images and emotions experienced during sleep).
As a noun, sueño means a dream. However, it is also used to describe the sensation of sleepiness. For example, in the phrase tener sueño, the word refers to the feeling of being sleepy rather than the act of dreaming. In an informal context, you might hear the expression morir de sueño, which literally translates to 'to die of sleepiness'.
Which one should you use?
While sueño can mean a dream, when used in the common phrase tener sueño, it refers specifically to the sensation of sleepiness.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word sueño is also the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb soñar (to dream), meaning 'I dream'. When expressing that you are sleepy, Spanish speakers use the verb tener (to have) with sueño instead of using ser or estar.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsweɲo/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, sueño can be used as a high compliment for an object or a person. Saying es un sueño suggests that something is so perfect or beautiful that it feels like a dream.
- While sueño means 'dream', the Spanish language uses a completely different root for 'nightmare', which is pesadilla.
- The English word 'somnolent', used to describe being drowsy, shares the same ancient ancestor as sueño through the Latin 'somnus'.
Examples in context
- Necesito dormir bien para tener buenos sueñosI need to sleep well to have good dreams
- Descansaré durante la noche para tener un sueño reparadorI will rest during the night to have a restful sleep
- ¡Estoy muriendo de sueño!I'm dying of sleepiness!
- Después de un largo día de trabajo, el sueño me vence rápidamenteAfter a long day of work, sleep quickly overcomes me
- Tuve un sueño muy extraño anoche.I had a very strange dream last night.
- Ese sueño fue una verdadera pesadilla.That dream was a true nightmare.
- Recuerdo cada detalle de mi sueño.I remember every detail of my dream.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are having breakfast at home.
- Lucía¿Qué tal dormiste, Alejandro?How did you sleep, Alejandro?
- AlejandroBien, pero tuve un sueño muy largo.Fine, but I had a very long dream.
- Lucía¿Era un sueño bonito?Was it a beautiful dream?
- AlejandroNo, fue un sueño algo confuso.No, it was a somewhat confusing dream.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sueño, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sueño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
