hora de dormir
/oɾa de doɾmiɾ/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "time to sleep" is hora de dormir.
The phrase hora de dormir is used to indicate that it is the appropriate moment to go to bed. If you want to be more direct or commanding, particularly when speaking to children, you can use the shorter phrase ¡A dormir! to mean "Go to sleep!" or "Time for sleep!"
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, hora de dormir translates to "hour of to sleep".
Which one should you use?
While hora de dormir focuses on the act of sleeping, hora de acostarse is a common alternative that specifically means "time to go to bed".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some Central American countries, the expression ¡A echarse! is used to mean "time to lie down".
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the complete sentence "It is time to sleep", you must add the verb es (it is) before the phrase to make Es hora de dormir.
How do you pronounce it?
/oɾa de doɾmiɾ/
Did you know?
- While hora de dormir is the standard phrase, some regions use ir a los brazos de Morfeo to describe the act of falling asleep.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the transition to hora de dormir is often preceded by the sobremesa, a long period of chatting at the table after a meal.
- The word dormir comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *drem-, which is an ancient relative of the English word 'dream'.
Examples in context
- Es hora de dormir.It's time to sleep.This sentence shows how to use the phrase in a standard way.Tatoeba #1057957 by darinmex, translation #936657 by CM
- ¡Digo que es hora de dormir!I say it's time to sleep!This sentence shows the phrase used in a more emphatic way.Tatoeba #10622531 by Adelpa, translation #12262471 by Miktsoanit
- Sería recomendable que descanse un poco. Es hora de dormir.It would be advisable for you to rest a bit. It's time to sleep.
- Cariño, es hora de ir a dormir. Mañana tenemos un día ajetreado.Sweetheart, it's time to go to sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow.
- Oye, a echarse que mañana nos toca un día largo.Hey, let's lie down as tomorrow we have a long day ahead.
Example conversation
A mother telling her son it is late at night.
- MaríaJavier, ya es hora de dormir.Javier, it is already time to sleep.
- JavierPero solo quiero jugar un poco más.But I only want to play a little more.
- MaríaNo, es hora de dormir ahora.No, it is time to sleep now.
- JavierEstá bien, mamá.Okay, mom.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, dormir, hora, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
