Dormir vs. Dormirse: understanding the difference between the Spanish verbs for sleep and how to use each correctly.
In Spanish, both dormir and dormirse relate to sleep, but they are used in different ways. Dormir means “to sleep,” describing the action of being asleep. Dormirse is a reflexive verb meaning “to fall asleep,” indicating the moment when someone begins to sleep. Understanding when to use each verb is essential for conveying the right meaning.
- Dormir = to sleep (be asleep)
- Dormirse = to fall asleep (the process of beginning to sleep)
- Reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se) are used with dormirse
- Context determines whether you describe the state (dormir) or the transition (dormirse)
Conjugations
Here are the present tense forms to get started:
| Pronoun | Dormir | Dormirse | Dormir Example | Dormirse Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | duermo | me duermo | Yo duermo ocho horas. | Me duermo rápido. |
| tú | duermes | te duermes | Tú duermes temprano. | Te duermes en clase. |
| él/ella/usted | duerme | se duerme | Ella duerme en casa. | Se duerme viendo la TV. |
| nosotros/as | dormimos | nos dormimos | Dormimos mucho. | Nos dormimos tarde. |
| vosotros/as | dormís | os dormís | Dormís poco. | Os dormís en el sofá. |
| ellos/as/ustedes | duermen | se duermen | Duermen en el hotel. | Se duermen durante el vuelo. |
Usage
- Dormir (to sleep)
Example:* — Yo duermo ocho horas cada noche.
(I sleep eight hours every night.)
- Describes the state of being asleep
- Answers “What do you do at night?” (Dormir)
- Used for habitual or ongoing sleep
- Dormirse (to fall asleep)
Example:* — Me duermo a las diez.
(I fall asleep at ten.)
- Describes the moment the person begins to sleep
- Answers “When do you fall asleep?”
- Can indicate unintentional or sudden sleep
When should you use 'dormirse' instead of 'dormir'?
Use 'dormirse' to describe the moment someone falls asleep, not the state of being asleep.
'Dormirse' is used for the transition into sleep (falling asleep), while 'dormir' describes the action or state of sleeping.
Examples
General Examples
| Dormir | Dormirse |
|---|---|
| Yo duermo en mi cuarto. | Me duermo leyendo un libro. |
| Nosotros dormimos diez horas. | Nos dormimos viendo la televisión. |
| Ellos duermen profundamente. | Se duermen al instante. |
With Time Expressions
| Dormir | Dormirse |
|---|---|
| Duermo después de cenar. | Me duermo después de cenar. |
| Siempre duermo bien. | Siempre me duermo rápido. |
| Duermen hasta tarde los fines de semana. | Se duermen tarde los fines de semana. |
Describing Routine vs. Moment
| Dormir (Routine) | Dormirse (Moment) |
|---|---|
| Duermo a las diez. | Me duermo a las diez. |
| Ella duerme en su cama. | Ella se duerme escuchando música. |
| Dormimos en silencio. | Nos dormimos en silencio. |
Tips
- Use dormir when talking about the action of sleeping.
(Ellos duermen ocho horas. — They sleep eight hours.)
- Use dormirse when talking about the action of falling asleep or when sleep begins.
(Ellos se duermen viendo la tele. — They fall asleep watching TV.)
- Don’t forget reflexive pronouns with dormirse: me, te, se, nos, os, se.
- Pay attention to context: is the person already asleep (dormir) or just starting to sleep (dormirse)?
- Be careful with “me duermo” in the present tense — it means “I fall asleep” (often unexpectedly or quickly), not just “I sleep.”
Understanding the difference between dormir and dormirse will help you talk about sleep more naturally and accurately in Spanish.
Last updated: Thu Jun 5, 2025
