Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Yawn in Spanish
Bostezo · noun · bohs-TEH-soh
The Spanish noun for yawn is 'bostezo,' and the verb 'to yawn' is 'bostezar.' Yawning is considered just as contagious in Spanish culture as anywhere else, and covering your mouth is expected etiquette.
Pronounce 'bostezo' as bohs-TEH-soh, with stress on the second syllable. For the verb 'bostezar,' say bohs-teh-SAHR.
No pude evitar un bostezo durante la clase.
I couldn't help a yawn during class.
yawn in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for yawn, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| bostezo | yawn | bohs-TEH-soh | Default, widely understood |
| bostezar | yawn | verb form, to yawn |
How Native Speakers Use Bostezo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Feeling sleepy
No dejo de bostezar; necesito dormir más.
I can't stop yawning; I need to sleep more.
Expressing tiredness.
Contagious yawning
Cuando tú bostezas, yo también empiezo a bostezar.
When you yawn, I start yawning too.
Observing contagious yawning.
During a lecture
El profesor vio mi bostezo y se rio.
The teacher saw my yawn and laughed.
An embarrassing moment in class.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Bostezo
Confusing the noun and verb forms
Incorrect: Hice un bostezar grande.
Correct: Hice un bostezo grande.
'Bostezar' is the verb (to yawn), while 'bostezo' is the noun (a yawn). Use the noun form after 'un.'
Misspelling as 'bosteso'
Incorrect: Solté un bosteso enorme.
Correct: Solté un bostezo enorme.
The correct spelling uses 'z,' not 's.' This matters in written Spanish even though they may sound alike in some dialects.
Lock in yawn Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Bostezo used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using bostezo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear No pude evitar un bostezo durante la clase. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About yawn in Spanish
- Is yawning considered rude in Spanish-speaking cultures?
- Yawning in public is generally seen as a sign of tiredness rather than rudeness, but covering your mouth while yawning is expected as a matter of basic politeness.
- How do you conjugate 'bostezar'?
- The verb 'bostezar' is regular and follows the -ar pattern: yo bostezo, tú bostezas, él bosteza, nosotros bostezamos, ellos bostezan — note the spelling change to 'c' before 'e' in the preterite: bostecé.
- Is there an idiom related to yawning in Spanish?
- While there is no major idiom using 'bostezo,' saying 'me muero de sueño' (I'm dying of sleep) is a common way to express the extreme tiredness that causes frequent yawning.