Significado
Used to express the sensation of being tired and wanting to sleep.
Contexto cultural
The 'grasse matinée' is a sacred Sunday tradition where people sleep in late to recover from the week. While 'avoir sommeil' is used, Quebecers might also use 'être tanné' to mean they are tired of a situation, but for physical sleepiness, they stick to the standard French. In many West African French-speaking countries, the rhythm of life and the heat can make a midday rest very common, often referred to as 'le repos'. Belgians use 'avoir sommeil' just like the French, but you might hear more specific regional slang for being exhausted, like 'être pété'.
Use 'très' not 'beaucoup'
Always say 'J'ai très sommeil'. 'Beaucoup' sounds unnatural here.
The 'Avoir' Trap
Never say 'Je suis sommeil'. It's the #1 mistake for English speakers!
Significado
Used to express the sensation of being tired and wanting to sleep.
Use 'très' not 'beaucoup'
Always say 'J'ai très sommeil'. 'Beaucoup' sounds unnatural here.
The 'Avoir' Trap
Never say 'Je suis sommeil'. It's the #1 mistake for English speakers!
Polite Exit
Saying 'J'ai sommeil' is a perfectly polite way to leave a dinner party in France.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence.
Je ______ sommeil ce soir.
In French, we use the verb 'avoir' (to have) with 'sommeil'. 'J'ai' is the first-person singular form.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'avoir'.
Nous ______ sommeil après le film.
The subject 'Nous' requires the verb form 'avons'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tu veux sortir ? B: Non, désolé, ______.
'J'ai sommeil' is the natural way to say you are too sleepy to go out.
Match the feeling to the phrase.
You have been awake for 20 hours and your eyes are closing.
Sleepiness is the feeling described.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosJe ______ sommeil ce soir.
In French, we use the verb 'avoir' (to have) with 'sommeil'. 'J'ai' is the first-person singular form.
Nous ______ sommeil après le film.
The subject 'Nous' requires the verb form 'avons'.
A: Tu veux sortir ? B: Non, désolé, ______.
'J'ai sommeil' is the natural way to say you are too sleepy to go out.
You have been awake for 20 hours and your eyes are closing.
Sleepiness is the feeling described.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
4 preguntasIt's a bit informal. Better to say 'Je suis un peu fatigué' or 'J'ai besoin d'une pause café'.
'Sommeil' is the state of being sleepy. 'Un somme' is a short nap.
'Sommeil' is a masculine noun, but since it's a fixed expression with 'avoir', you don't need to worry about agreement.
Use 'Je n'ai pas sommeil'.
Frases relacionadas
faire dodo
similarto go sleep (baby talk)
piquer du nez
specialized formto nod off
tomber de sommeil
builds onto be falling down with sleepiness
avoir un coup de barre
similarto have a sudden crash/tiredness
