• Use dormir to describe sleeping or how long someone sleeps.
• Use dormirse to describe the moment of falling asleep or unintentionally dozing off.
• Dormirse is reflexive and can be followed by prepositions like en (e.g., dormirse en clase).

Examples

Usage Rules

• Dormir is a regular -ir verb. Conjugate it normally (duermo, dormía, dormiré, dormido).
• Dormirse is reflexive. Always use reflexive pronouns: me, te, se, nos, os, se.
• Use dormirse to talk about the transition from wakefulness to sleep. It often implies a moment or an involuntary action.
• Use dormir for the general activity or state of being asleep.

Common Idiomatic Uses

• Dormirse en los laureles — to rest on one’s laurels (stop making an effort)
• Dormirse como un tronco — to sleep like a log (sleep very deeply)
• Dormirse en clase — to fall asleep in class

Summary

• Dormir: to sleep (general action or state)
• Dormirse: to fall asleep (process or moment of going to sleep, often involuntary)
• Use dormirse with reflexive pronouns.
• Context usually makes it clear which verb to use.
• Time markers likedesde las diez (since 10) or a las diez (at 10) can help choosing the right verbDormirse: To fall asleepDía 1Día 2Día 3CotidianoTiemposandar el cribradoPsicomotordar vueltasadivinar la respuestaTiposcorrerRol de … as carryon

Common Mistakes

• Using dormir instead of dormirse to mean “fall asleep.” (e.g., Duermo a las diez should be Me duermo a las diez.)
• Forgetting the reflexive pronoun with dormirse. (e.g., Se durmió not Durmió.)
• Using dormirse for the entire sleep period instead of just falling asleep. (e.g., Me dormí ocho horas is usually incorrect; use Dormí ocho horas.)

Conclusion

• Use dormir for the overall act of sleeping.
• Use dormirse for the moment of falling asleep.
• Dormirse requires reflexive pronouns.
• Context and time words help choose the right verb.
• Be careful not to mix up the meanings.

• Clearly explained the difference between dormir and dormirse at the beginning.
• Added more examples to illustrate correct usage.
• Included tables for verb conjugations.
• Added a “Common Mistakes” section to address typical errors.
• Improved summary and conclusion for clarity.

• Dormir means “to sleep,” while dormirse means “to fall asleep.”
• Dormir is used to talk about the act or state of sleeping.
• Dormerse is a reflexive verb that describes the process of going from being awake to sleeping.
• Use dormir to describe sleeping or how long someone sleeps.
• Use dormirse to describe the moment of falling asleep or unintentionally dozing off.
• Dormirse is reflexive and can be followed by prepositions like en (e.g., dormirse en clase).

• ¿Cuántas horas duermes? (How many hours do you sleep?)
• Me duermo a las diez. (I fall asleep at ten.)
• Dormí ocho horas anoche. (I slept eight hours last night.)
• Se durmió en el sofá. (He/she fell asleep on the sofa.)
• No puedo dormir con tanto ruido. (I can’t sleep with so much noise.)
• Me dormí leyendo en la cama. (I fell asleep reading in bed.)

• Dormir is a regular -ir verb.
• Dormirse is reflexive and always uses pronouns: me, te, se, nos, os, se.
• Use dormirse to talk about the transition from wakefulness to sleep.
• Use dormir for the general activity or state of being asleep.

• Dormirse en los laureles — to rest on one’s laurels (stop making an effort)
• Dormirse como un tronco — to sleep like a log (sleep very deeply)
• Dormirse en clase — to fall asleep in class

• Dormir means “to sleep.”
• Dormirse means “to fall asleep.”
• Use dormirse with reflexive pronouns.
• Context usually makes it clear which verb to use.
• Time markers can help choose the right verb.

• Using dormir instead of dormirse to mean “fall asleep” (e.g., Duermo a las diez).
• Forgetting the reflexive pronoun with dormirse (e.g., Durmió instead of Se durmió).
• Using dormirse for the entire sleep period instead of just falling asleep (e.g., Me dormí ocho horas).