hora de ir a dormir
/oɾa de iɾ a doɾmiɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "time to go to sleep" is translated into Spanish as hora de ir a dormir.
The phrase is used to indicate that the appropriate time to go to bed has arrived. You may also use the alternative hora de acostarse, which utilizes the verb meaning to lie down or go to bed.
Which one should you use?
While hora de ir a dormir is a standard way to express this, you can also use hora de acostarse as a very common alternative. If you want to be much more brief and informal, you can say ¡A dormir!, which functions like saying "Go to sleep!"
How does it change in a sentence?
When using this in a full sentence to say "it is time to go to sleep", you should add es at the beginning to form es hora de ir a dormir.
How do you pronounce it?
/oɾa de iɾ a doɾmiɾ/
Did you know?
- If you were to say 'I go' in Spanish, you would use voy, which actually descends from a different Latin verb, 'vādere', rather than the 'īre' that provides the infinitive ir.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, children are told a dormir as part of a ritual that often includes a cuento or bedtime story.
Examples in context
- Señora García, es hora de ir a dormir. Mañana tiene una larga jornada por delante y es importante descansar adecuadamente.Mrs. García, it's time to go to sleep. Tomorrow you have a busy day, and it's important to rest properly.
- ¡Chicos, a dormir se ha dicho! Mañana tenemos un emocionante día de aventuras por delante y necesitamos estar descansados.Guys, time to sleep! Tomorrow we have an exciting day of adventures ahead, and we need to be well-rested.
- Ya es hora de ir a dormir, hijo.It is already time to go to sleep, son.
- Parece que es hora de ir a dormir.It seems to be time to go to sleep.
Example conversation
A mother telling her son it is late at night.
- MaríaDaniel, ya es hora de ir a dormir.Daniel, it is already time to go to sleep.
- DanielPero, mamá, solo cinco minutos más.But, mom, just five more minutes.
- MaríaNo, es hora de ir a dormir ahora.No, it is time to go to sleep now.
- DanielEstá bien, me voy a la cama.Fine, I am going to bed.
