Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Bedtime in Spanish: Hora de Dormir
Hora de Dormir · noun phrase · OH-rah deh dohr-MEER
Spanish expresses 'bedtime' as the phrase 'hora de dormir' (literally 'time to sleep'), since there is no single-word equivalent. Parents commonly use 'hora de ir a la cama' (time to go to bed) when speaking to children. Unlike English's compact compound noun, Spanish requires a multi-word construction that varies slightly depending on whether the emphasis is on sleeping, lying down, or going to bed.
Say 'hora' as OH-rah with a silent 'h,' then 'de' as a quick 'deh,' and 'dormir' as dohr-MEER with stress on the final syllable.
Ya es hora de dormir, apaga la televisión.
It's already bedtime, turn off the television.
Bedtime in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for bedtime, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| hora de dormir | bedtime | OH-rah deh dohr-MEER | Default, widely understood |
| hora de acostarse | bedtime | emphasizes lying down | |
| hora de ir a la cama | bedtime | common with children |
How Native Speakers Use Hora de Dormir
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Parenting
La hora de dormir de los niños es a las ocho.
The children's bedtime is at eight.
Setting a sleep schedule.
Bedtime routine
Leemos un cuento antes de la hora de acostarse.
We read a story before bedtime.
Describing a nightly routine.
Adult context
Ya pasó mi hora de dormir y mañana madrugo.
My bedtime has already passed and I'm getting up early tomorrow.
Adult acknowledging their sleep schedule.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Hora de Dormir
Inventing a compound word
Incorrect: Es el bedtime de los niños.
Correct: Es la hora de dormir de los niños.
Spanish does not borrow 'bedtime' as a loanword; the concept must be expressed as a phrase using 'hora de' (time to) followed by the relevant verb.
Using 'tiempo' instead of 'hora'
Incorrect: Es tiempo de dormir.
Correct: Es hora de dormir.
The expression 'es hora de' means 'it's time to' for scheduled activities, while 'es tiempo de' has a different nuance suggesting a broader season or era rather than a specific daily moment.
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Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Hora de Dormir used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using hora de dormir in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Ya es hora de dormir, apaga la televisión. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Bedtime in Spanish
- Is there a single word for 'bedtime' in Spanish?
- Standard Spanish lacks a single-word equivalent for 'bedtime,' requiring phrases like 'hora de dormir,' 'hora de acostarse,' or 'hora de ir a la cama.' This multi-word structure is completely natural in Spanish, where compound concepts often expand into prepositional phrases.
- How do I say 'bedtime story' in Spanish?
- A bedtime story is 'un cuento para dormir' or 'un cuento antes de dormir' (a story before sleeping). Some speakers also say 'cuento de buenas noches' (goodnight story), which captures the same cozy nighttime reading tradition.
- What is the difference between 'hora de dormir' and 'hora de acostarse'?
- The phrase 'hora de dormir' focuses on the act of falling asleep, while 'hora de acostarse' emphasizes the physical action of lying down in bed. Parents often prefer 'hora de acostarse' because children may not fall asleep immediately but are expected to be in bed.