Significado
To be in a very deep and sound sleep.
Contexto cultural
In Egypt, this phrase is often used with a specific melodic intonation. It's also frequently paired with 'نايم في العسل' (sleeping in honey) to tease someone who is clueless about social gossip. In the Levant, the phrase is used very commonly to describe the 'peace' of a sleeping child. It carries a sense of 'Sahtain' (health/well-being) associated with good rest. While used, Gulf dialects might also use 'غارق في سابع نومة' (drowning in the seventh sleep) to emphasize the weight of sleep after a long day in the heat. The number 7 is a 'lucky' and 'complete' number in Arab/Islamic culture, appearing in the 7 circumambulations of the Kaaba and the 7 heavens. This gives the idiom a sense of 'total' or 'perfect' sleep.
Sound Native
Use this when you miss a call. It sounds much more natural and 'Arabic' than just saying 'I was sleeping'.
Don't use with 'to'
Don't say 'I am going to the seventh sleep.' It's a state you are *in*, not a destination you travel to.
Significado
To be in a very deep and sound sleep.
Sound Native
Use this when you miss a call. It sounds much more natural and 'Arabic' than just saying 'I was sleeping'.
Don't use with 'to'
Don't say 'I am going to the seventh sleep.' It's a state you are *in*, not a destination you travel to.
The Power of 7
Whenever you see '7' in Arabic idioms, think 'extreme' or 'ultimate'.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct word to complete the idiom.
أخي نائم، هو في ____ نومة.
The idiom specifically uses 'سابع' (seventh) to denote the deepest sleep.
Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the phrase.
Situation: You missed your alarm and woke up 3 hours late.
This phrase explains why you didn't hear the alarm—you were in a very deep sleep.
Fill in the missing preposition.
الأطفال الآن ____ سابع نومة.
The idiom always starts with the preposition 'في' (in).
Complete the dialogue naturally.
أ: هل سمعت الضجيج في الخارج؟ ب: لا، والله كنت ____.
Being in a 'seventh sleep' is the best reason for not hearing a loud noise outside.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
When to use 'Seventh Sleep'
Situations
- • After a long day
- • Missing a call
- • Describing a baby
- • Teasing a friend
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosأخي نائم، هو في ____ نومة.
The idiom specifically uses 'سابع' (seventh) to denote the deepest sleep.
Situation: You missed your alarm and woke up 3 hours late.
This phrase explains why you didn't hear the alarm—you were in a very deep sleep.
الأطفال الآن ____ سابع نومة.
The idiom always starts with the preposition 'في' (in).
أ: هل سمعت الضجيج في الخارج؟ ب: لا، والله كنت ____.
Being in a 'seventh sleep' is the best reason for not hearing a loud noise outside.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, it is widely understood from Morocco to Iraq, though it is most common in Egypt and the Levant.
Absolutely! 'كنت في سابع نومة' (I was in a seventh sleep) is a very common way to explain why you were unavailable.
No, it's not rude. It's informal and friendly. However, using it to mean 'clueless' can be slightly mocking.
'نوم' is the general concept of sleep. 'نومة' is a single instance or act of sleeping.
No, the idiom is fixed at seven. Saying 'eighth' would just sound like a mistake.
Yes, 'يغط في نوم عميق' (He is snoring/sinking in a deep sleep) is the formal equivalent.
Not necessarily, but it implies a sleep so deep that snoring wouldn't be surprising!
Yes, it's very common to use it for pets.
Indirectly, yes. Both use 'seven' to represent the highest or deepest level of a state.
It's written the same, but pronounced 'fi sabi' nouma' with a soft 'g' sound sometimes if 'sabi' is followed by certain letters.
Frases relacionadas
نايم في العسل
similarSleeping in honey
غارق في النوم
synonymDrowning in sleep
ميت من النوم
builds onDead from sleepiness
صحوة موت
contrastDeath's awakening
سابع سما
similarSeventh heaven
