Using 'ser' or 'estar' instead of 'tener'

In Spanish, you don't 'are' sleepy, you 'have' sleepiness. Always use the verb 'tener' (to have) with 'sueño' to say you're sleepy. This also works for hunger ('tener hambre'), thirst ('tener sed'), and age ('tener años').

Using 'tener' for Feelings

You can add words like 'mucho' (a lot) or 'un poco de' (a little bit of) to describe how sleepy you feel. For example: 'Tengo un poco de sueño' (I'm a little sleepy) or 'Tengo muchísimo sueño' (I'm extremely sleepy).

Expressing How Sleepy You Are

Extremely common. One of the first words you'll learn and use daily.

The only way to know if 'sueño' means 'sleepiness' or 'dream' is by the other words in the sentence. If you see 'tener', it's almost always 'sleepiness'. If you see words like 'mi' (my) or 'un' (a), it's often about a 'dream'.

Context is Key

Very common, used to talk about both the images in your head at night and your life goals.

Forgetting the Preposition 'con'

The verb 'soñar' is a 'boot verb'. In the present tense, the 'o' changes to 'ue' for most forms (yo, tú, él, ellos), but it stays 'o' for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'. Imagine drawing a boot around the forms that change!

Stem-Changing Verbs (o → ue)

This is the 'I' form of the very common verb 'soñar' (to dream).

Learn the complete meaning of the Spanish word 'sueño'. Understand the difference between 'sueño' as sleepiness (tener sueño) and 'sueño' as a dream or goal. Includes full conjugations for the related verb 'soñar'.

soñar

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations