What is the difference between "durmiendo", "dormido" in Spanish?

The English word 'sleeping' can be translated into Spanish in a couple of ways, depending on whether you are describing the state of being asleep or the action of sleeping. Understanding this distinction will help you use the correct Spanish word.

How to Say "sleeping" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “sleeping” is “durmiendo” — use 'durmiendo' when you want to emphasize the ongoing action of sleeping, similar to the English '-ing' form.

durmiendo🔊A1

Use 'durmiendo' when you want to emphasize the ongoing action of sleeping, similar to the English '-ing' form.

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dormido🔊A1

Use 'dormido' to describe someone or something that is in the state of being asleep, often functioning like an adjective.

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English → Spanish

durmiendo

door-mee-EN-dohduɾˈmjendo

Verbal AdverbA1General

Use 'durmiendo' when you want to emphasize the ongoing action of sleeping, similar to the English '-ing' form.

A small character sleeping soundly and peacefully in a simple wooden bed, covered by a blue blanket.

Examples

El bebé está durmiendo en su cuna.

The baby is sleeping in his crib.

El niño está durmiendo profundamente ahora mismo.

The boy is sleeping deeply right now.

Estuve durmiendo casi diez horas este fin de semana.

I was sleeping almost ten hours this weekend.

Ella se cayó de la cama durmiendo.

She fell out of bed while sleeping.

The '-ing' Form

This word is the Spanish way to say 'sleeping' (the '-ing' form). We call it the Verbal Adverb, and you use it to show an action in progress.

Continuous Actions

To say 'I am sleeping,' you must combine 'durmiendo' with a form of 'estar' (to be): 'Estoy durmiendo.' This construction tells us what is happening right now.

Forgetting the Stem Change

Mistake: “Muchos niños están *dormiendo*.”

Correction: Muchos niños están *durmiendo*. The verb 'dormir' is irregular; the 'o' changes to a 'u' in this form, unlike regular verbs.

Using the Infinitive

Mistake: “Yo estoy *dormir*.”

Correction: Yo estoy *durmiendo*. Always use the Verbal Adverb ('durmiendo') after 'estar' to describe current action.

See full entry for “durmiendo” →

dormido

dor-MEE-dohdoɾˈmiðo

AdjectiveA1General

Use 'dormido' to describe someone or something that is in the state of being asleep, often functioning like an adjective.

A young child is sleeping soundly in a cozy bed, covered by a blanket and hugging a teddy bear.

Examples

Mi perro está dormido junto a la chimenea.

My dog is asleep next to the fireplace.

Mi hermano pequeño está dormido en el sofá.

My little brother is asleep on the sofa.

¡No me hables, tengo la mano dormida!

Don't talk to me, my hand is numb (asleep)!

El volcán Popocatépetl se considera un volcán dormido.

The Popocatépetl volcano is considered a dormant volcano.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'dormido' must match the person or thing it describes: 'dormida' (feminine singular), 'dormidos' (masculine plural), 'dormidas' (feminine plural).

Using ESTAR

When talking about someone being asleep right now, use the verb 'estar' (to be in a temporary state), not 'ser' (to be permanent). Example: 'Él está dormido.'

Using SER instead of ESTAR

Mistake: “El niño es dormido.”

Correction: El niño está dormido. You must use 'estar' because being asleep is a temporary state or condition, not a permanent characteristic.

See full entry for “dormido” →

Action vs. State

The most common mistake is using 'dormido' when you mean the ongoing action of sleeping. Remember, 'durmiendo' is for the action in progress (like '-ing'), while 'dormido' describes the state of being asleep.

Related Translations

asleep→dormant→numb→slept→while sleeping→

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