Inklingo

How to Say "sleep" in Spanish

English → Spanish

dormida

dor-MEE-dah/doɾˈmiða/

nounB1informal
Use 'dormida' when referring to the act of sleeping itself, often in the context of taking a nap or a short period of sleep.
A cozy illustration of a small kitten taking a nap, curled up and sleeping soundly on a soft yellow cushion in the daylight.

Examples

Me voy a echar una dormida corta después de almuerzo.

I'm going to take a short nap after lunch.

Después de comer, me voy a echar una dormida de veinte minutos.

After eating, I'm going to take a twenty-minute nap.

Necesito una buena dormida para recuperarme del viaje.

I need a good sleep to recover from the trip.

Using 'Echar'

The phrase 'echar una dormida' is very common. 'Echar' here means 'to toss' or 'to throw,' but in this context, it simply means 'to take' or 'to have' a short sleep.

Confusing 'Dormida' and 'Sueño'

Mistake: “Using 'dormida' when you mean 'dream' or 'sleepiness' ('Tengo mucha dormida').”

Correction: Use 'sueño' for 'sleepiness' ('Tengo mucho sueño') or 'dream' ('un sueño'). 'Dormida' is usually the *act* of taking a short rest.

duerma

/DWER-mah//ˈdweɾma/

verbA2
Use 'duerma' as the subjunctive form of the verb 'dormir' when expressing hopes, wishes, suggestions, or polite commands related to sleeping.
A peaceful person sleeping soundly in a cozy bed with a soft blue blanket.

Examples

Espero que el bebé duerma toda la noche.

I hope the baby sleeps all night.

Espero que mi hijo duerma bien esta noche.

I hope my son sleeps well tonight.

Por favor, duerma un poco más.

Please, (formal you) sleep a bit more.

No creo que ella duerma lo suficiente.

I don't think she sleeps enough.

The 'Vowel Swap' Rule

For -IR verbs like 'dormir', when you want to express a wish or a polite command, the 'i' or 'e' ending usually swaps to an 'a'. That is why 'duerme' (he sleeps) becomes 'duerma' (I hope he sleeps).

The Stem Change

Notice that the 'o' in the base word 'dormir' changes to 'ue' in 'duerma'. This is a common pattern in Spanish for many verbs.

Using the wrong vowel

Mistake: “Espero que él duerme.”

Correction: Espero que él duerma.

Noun vs. Verb Form

Learners often confuse 'dormida' (a noun for a nap) with verb forms. Remember that 'dormida' refers to the state or act of sleeping, while verb conjugations like 'duerma' are used in sentences with subjects and specific grammatical contexts like wishes or commands.

Related Translations

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