ora di dormire
/ˈo.ra di dorˈmi.re/word by word
The English phrase "time for bed" is translated into Italian as ora di dormire.
ora di dormire is a phrase used to tell someone that it is the time to go to sleep.
Which one should you use?
While ora di dormire is a standard way to express the idea, you can also use È ora di andare a letto, which literally means "It is time to go to bed". If you are speaking informally, such as when talking to children or using affectionate terms with friends and family, you might use È ora di mettersi a nanna. Additionally, the informal phrase Andiamo a nanna can be used to say "Let's go to sleep".
How does it change in a sentence?
To form a complete sentence with ora di dormire, you should add the verb è (it is) to the beginning to make È ora di dormire.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈo.ra di dorˈmi.re/
Did you know?
- The Italian word dormire comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *drem-, which is the ancient ancestor of the English word 'dream'.
- The word nanna used in the phrase Andiamo a nanna is a nursery word. It is similar to how English speakers use 'night-night' instead of 'good night' when talking to toddlers.
- The word ora is a homonym in Italian. Depending on the context, it can mean 'hour' or 'now', which is why ora di dormire can be read as both 'hour of sleeping' and 'now to sleep'.
Examples in context
- È ora di dormire.It's time for bed.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use ora di dormire in a complete sentence.Tatoeba #387012 by Pharamp, translation #1271567 by CK
- Per i bambini è già ora di dormire.It is already time for children to sleep.
- Sbrigati, è ora di dormire!Hurry up, it is time for bed!
Example conversation
A mother and son are in the bedroom at night.
- GiuliaFrancesco, è ora di dormire.Francesco, it is time for bed.
- FrancescoAncora cinque minuti, per favore!Five more minutes, please!
- GiuliaNo, devi riposare.No, you must rest.
- FrancescoVa bene, vado a letto.Okay, I am going to bed.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (ora, di, dormire) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries di, dormire, ora, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
