Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Sleep in Spanish
Dormir · verb (irregular, o→ue stem change) · dohr-MEER
The Spanish word for 'sleep' is 'dormir' (verb) or 'sueño' (noun). 'Dormir' is an irregular verb that changes its stem from 'o' to 'ue' in most present-tense forms. The reflexive 'dormirse' means 'to fall asleep.'
dohr-MEER
Necesito dormir ocho horas cada noche.
I need to sleep eight hours every night.
Sleep in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for sleep, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| dormir | sleep | dohr-MEER | Default, widely understood |
| sueño | sleep | Universal (noun: sleep/dream) | |
| dormirse | sleep | Universal (reflexive: to fall asleep) |
How Native Speakers Use Dormir
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Stating a nightly routine
Yo duermo temprano entre semana.
I sleep early on weekdays.
Notice the stem change: 'dormir' becomes 'duermo' in the first person singular.
Using the reflexive form
El bebé se durmió en mis brazos.
The baby fell asleep in my arms.
'Dormirse' (reflexive) specifically means to fall asleep, emphasizing the transition.
Talking about sleep as a noun
Tengo mucho sueño después de trabajar todo el día.
I'm very sleepy after working all day.
'Tener sueño' literally means 'to have sleepiness' and is the standard way to say you're sleepy.
Giving advice
Deberías dormir más para sentirte mejor.
You should sleep more to feel better.
After modal verbs like 'deber,' 'dormir' stays in the infinitive.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Dormir
Forgetting the stem change
Incorrect: Yo dormo ocho horas.
Correct: Yo duermo ocho horas.
'Dormir' undergoes an o→ue stem change in the present tense for all forms except 'nosotros' and 'vosotros.'
Confusing 'dormir' and 'dormirse'
Incorrect: Me dormí a las once. (meaning: I slept at eleven.)
Correct: Dormí a las once. / Me dormí a las once. (fell asleep at eleven.)
'Dormirse' means 'to fall asleep,' while 'dormir' simply means 'to sleep.' Choose the form that matches your intended meaning.
Lock in Sleep Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Dormir used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using dormir in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Necesito dormir ocho horas cada noche. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Sleep in Spanish
- What is the difference between 'dormir' and 'dormirse'?
- 'Dormir' means 'to sleep' as a general action, while 'dormirse' (reflexive) means 'to fall asleep,' highlighting the moment of drifting off.
- How do you conjugate 'dormir' in the present tense?
- Duermo, duermes, duerme, dormimos, dormís, duermen. The 'o' changes to 'ue' in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
- How do you say 'I'm sleepy' in Spanish?
- The natural expression is 'tengo sueño,' which literally translates to 'I have sleepiness.' Spanish uses the verb 'tener' (to have) rather than 'ser' or 'estar' for this sensation.