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A2 verb 10 دقیقه مطالعه

dormitar

مثال‌ها dormitar در ۳۰ ثانیه
توضیح dormitar in your Level:
At the A1 level, you usually only learn the word 'dormir' (to sleep). However, 'dormitar' is a useful extra word. It means 'to sleep a little bit' or 'to sleep lightly.' Think of it like a cat sleeping in the sun. It is not a deep sleep for many hours. You can use it to say you are tired and want a small rest. For example: 'Eu dormito no sofá' (I doze on the sofa). It is a regular '-ar' verb, so it is easy to conjugate like 'falar.' Just remember it is for short times, not for the whole night. If you go to bed at 11 PM and wake up at 7 AM, you 'dormir.' If you fall asleep for 5 minutes during a movie, you 'dormitar.'
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At the A2 level, you are expanding your vocabulary to include more specific actions. 'Dormitar' is the perfect word to describe 'dozing' or 'nodding off.' It is very common in the continuous form: 'Estou a dormitar' (I am dozing). You will see this word in stories or hear it when people talk about being tired in the afternoon. It is different from 'dormir' because 'dormitar' is often involuntary—you don't always plan to do it. You should use it when you want to describe someone who is half-asleep. It is also a good word to use when talking about animals, like a dog dozing by the fire. It helps you sound more natural than just using 'dormir' for every type of sleep.
For B1 learners, 'dormitar' represents a stylistic choice. You use it to provide more descriptive detail in your speaking and writing. At this level, you should be comfortable using it in the imperfect tense ('dormitava') to describe background actions in the past. For example: 'Enquanto eu esperava pelo comboio, dormitava um pouco' (While I was waiting for the train, I was dozing a bit). It is important to distinguish 'dormitar' from 'cochilar' (common in Brazil) and 'tirar uma soneca' (to take a nap). 'Dormitar' focuses on the light, often disrupted nature of the sleep. It is also the level where you might start to see the word used in more formal texts or news reports to describe a lack of activity.
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At the B2 level, you should understand the subtle connotations of 'dormitar.' It can imply a state of boredom or a physiological reaction to a monotonous environment. You might use it in a work context (perhaps carefully!) to describe a meeting that was so long people started 'dormitar.' You should also be aware of its use in literature to create a specific mood—one of lethargy or quiet. It is also used to describe the state of patients in a hospital who are not in a deep coma but are not fully awake. Your ability to choose 'dormitar' over 'dormir' shows a high level of sensitivity to Portuguese nuances and the ability to describe physical states with precision.
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C1 learners should be able to use 'dormitar' metaphorically and in complex grammatical structures. You might encounter it in classic Portuguese literature (like Eça de Queirós or Machado de Assis) to describe the atmosphere of a stagnant society or a sleepy town. Metaphorically, a project or an idea can 'dormitar' if it is currently inactive but not completely dead. At this level, you should also notice how the word interacts with other verbs of perception and state. You might use it in the subjunctive to express hypothetical situations: 'Caso ele comece a dormitar, acorda-o' (In case he starts dozing, wake him up). It becomes a tool for sophisticated description and subtle social commentary.
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At the C2 level, 'dormitar' is part of a vast repertoire of verbs describing states of consciousness. You understand its precise placement among synonyms like 'sopitar,' 'entrecerrar os olhos,' or 'tosquenejar.' You can use it to discuss the physiological stages of sleep or the psychological impact of sleep deprivation. In a professional or academic setting, you might use 'dormitar' to critique a lack of vigilance in a system or institution. You have a complete grasp of its historical roots and its evolution in both European and Brazilian Portuguese. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, employing it for maximum expressive effect in both literal and figurative contexts.
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مثال‌ها

dormitar در ۳۰ ثانیه

  • Dormitar is the Portuguese verb for dozing or sleeping lightly, often occurring involuntarily when one is tired but in a seated or public position.
  • It differs from 'dormir' (to sleep) by emphasizing the lack of depth and the brevity of the slumber, making it a more descriptive choice.
  • Commonly used in both European and Brazilian Portuguese, it follows regular -ar verb conjugation patterns and is frequently found in continuous forms.
  • Metaphorically, it can describe a state of inactivity or sluggishness in objects, institutions, or environments, such as a 'sleepy' town or stagnant economy.
The Portuguese verb dormitar is a nuanced and evocative term that captures a specific state of being between wakefulness and deep sleep. While many beginners rely solely on the general verb dormir (to sleep), the word dormitar offers a more precise description of a light, often fitful, or brief slumber. In English, we most frequently translate this as 'to doze,' 'to slumber lightly,' or 'to nap in a sitting position.' It implies a lack of depth; someone who is dormitando is still somewhat aware of their surroundings and can be easily startled or awakened by a soft sound or a slight touch. This verb is often used to describe the behavior of passengers on a long bus ride, students in a particularly dry lecture, or the elderly resting in a comfortable armchair during the afternoon.
The Essence of Lightness
Unlike the profound unconsciousness of deep sleep, dormitar suggests a fragile state. It is the kind of sleep where you might still hear the hum of the television or the distant chirping of birds, yet your eyes are closed and your mind has drifted into a gentle fog. It is often involuntary, occurring when the body is fatigued but the environment is not conducive to full rest.
Temporal Aspect
Dormitar is usually short-lived. One does not typically 'dormitar' for eight hours straight. It describes those twenty minutes on the sofa before dinner or the nodding of the head that happens when one is fighting to stay awake during a movie. It is the physical manifestation of a body seeking a quick recharge.

O avô costuma dormitar na sua poltrona favorita depois do almoço, com o jornal ainda nas mãos.

Social Contexts
In social settings, mentioning that someone was 'dormitando' can be a polite way to say they were nodding off without sounding as harsh as saying they were 'sleeping on the job.' It carries a connotation of natural, perhaps unavoidable, tiredness rather than a deliberate choice to go to bed.

Vi muitos passageiros a dormitar durante a viagem de comboio matinal.

A gata gosta de dormitar ao sol, aproveitando o calor da janela.

Literary Usage
In literature, 'dormitar' is often used metaphorically. A city might be described as 'dormitando' in the midday heat, suggesting a quiet, sluggish atmosphere where nothing much is happening, but the city is still 'awake' in a sense.

A pequena vila parecia dormitar sob o sol escaldante de agosto.

Não estava profundamente adormecido, apenas a dormitar enquanto esperava o médico.

Using dormitar correctly requires understanding its role as a regular first-conjugation verb (-ar). It follows the standard patterns for verbs like falar or cantar. However, because it describes a continuous or habitual state, it is frequently found in the gerund form (dormitando) or the imperfect tense (dormitava). When you want to describe the action of falling into this light sleep, you often use it in the infinitive after another verb.
Present Tense Usage
In the present tense, it describes a current state. 'Eu dormito' (I doze) is less common than 'Estou a dormitar' (European Portuguese) or 'Estou dormitando' (Brazilian Portuguese), as the action is usually ongoing in the moment of speaking. It highlights the immediate experience of fighting off sleep.
The Imperfect Tense for Atmosphere
The imperfect 'dormitava' is perfect for setting a scene in a story. 'Ele dormitava enquanto a chuva batia na janela' (He was dozing while the rain hit the window). It provides a background action that was happening when something else occurred.

Sempre que leio este livro, começo a dormitar após dez páginas.

Reflexive Confusion
Be careful not to confuse 'dormitar' with 'adormecer' (to fall asleep). 'Adormecer' is the transition from awake to asleep. 'Dormitar' is the state of being in that light sleep. You don't usually say 'me dormito'; the reflexive is not used here.

O guarda foi apanhado a dormitar durante o turno da noite.

Ela passava as tardes a dormitar no jardim de inverno.

Combining with Adverbs
You can enhance the meaning with adverbs like 'suavemente' (softly) or 'profundamente' (ironically, to mean 'deeply in a doze'). 'Dormitar levemente' is technically redundant but often used for emphasis in descriptive writing.

Apesar do barulho, ele conseguia dormitar por breves instantes.

Não me acordes, estou apenas a dormitar um pouco antes da festa.

While dormitar is not the most common word in a teenager's slang vocabulary, it is a staple of standard Portuguese and is heard frequently in various environments. It sits comfortably in the 'middle ground' of formality—not so formal that it sounds archaic, but not so casual that it sounds sloppy. You will encounter it in family settings, in the workplace (often as a lighthearted observation), and very frequently in media and literature.
In the Family Home
Parents might use it to describe a baby who is 'fighting sleep' or an elderly relative who has drifted off during a family gathering. It is a gentle word, often used with affection. 'Olha o avô a dormitar!' (Look at grandpa dozing!).
Public Transport and Commuting
In Lisbon or São Paulo, if you are discussing the long commute, you might hear someone say they spent the whole train ride 'dormitando.' It perfectly describes that half-awake state where you are conscious of your stop but resting your eyes.

É comum ver pessoas a dormitar no metro às sete da manhã.

News and Journalism
Journalists might use 'dormitar' metaphorically to describe a government that is slow to react or a market that is stagnant. 'A economia parece estar a dormitar este trimestre.' It implies a lack of vigor or alertness.

O jornalista descreveu a assembleia como se estivesse a dormitar perante a crise.

Durante a conferência, vários delegados foram vistos a dormitar.

Medical and Health Contexts
A doctor or nurse might ask if a patient is sleeping well or just 'dormitando' throughout the night. Here, it differentiates between restorative deep sleep and the fragmented sleep of someone in pain or discomfort.

O paciente não dormiu bem; passou a noite apenas a dormitar.

Depois de tomar o remédio, ela começou a dormitar calmamente.

Even though dormitar is a regular verb, learners often stumble over its usage nuances and its relationship with other 'sleep' verbs. The most frequent error is using it as a direct synonym for 'dormir' without considering the depth of sleep. If you say you 'dormitou' for 10 hours, a native speaker will find it strange, as it implies you were in a light, half-awake state for an impossibly long time.
Confusing with 'Cochilar'
In Brazil, 'cochilar' is much more common for a 'nap.' While 'dormitar' is correct, using it in a very slang-heavy, informal conversation might sound slightly 'bookish.' However, in Portugal, 'dormitar' and 'cochilar' are both widely used, with 'dormitar' often implying a more involuntary nodding off.
Incorrect Prepositions
Learners sometimes try to add prepositions where they aren't needed. You don't 'dormitar para' or 'dormitar com' a sleep. It is an intransitive verb. You simply 'dormitar.' You can, however, 'dormitar ao som de' (doze to the sound of) or 'dormitar durante' (doze during).

Errado: Eu dormitei um sono.
Correto: Eu dormitei um pouco no sofá.

Overusing the Present Simple
Saying 'Eu dormito' sounds like you do it as a hobby or a regular schedule. It is almost always better to use the continuous form: 'Estou a dormitar' or 'Estou dormitando.' This matches the English 'I am dozing.'

Estranho: Eu dormito agora.
Natural: Estou a dormitar um bocadinho.

Não confundas dormitar com desmaiar (to faint)!

Tense Misuse
Using the Preterite Perfect ('dormitei') suggests a completed, single action of dozing. Using the Imperfect ('dormitava') is usually better for describing the duration of the state. 'Dormitei' sounds like you dozed once and it was over; 'dormitava' sounds like you were in that state for a while.

Enquanto o professor falava, o aluno dormitava calmamente.

Notei que ele estava a dormitar e decidi não o incomodar.

To truly master Portuguese, you need to know which 'sleep' word fits the specific situation. Dormitar exists in a rich field of synonyms and related terms, each with its own flavor.
Dormitar vs. Cochilar
These are the closest synonyms. 'Cochilar' is very common in Brazil and refers to a short nap. 'Dormitar' is slightly more formal and often emphasizes the 'lightness' and 'interruption' of the sleep. You 'cochila' intentionally on the sofa; you 'dormita' because you are tired and can't help it.
Dormitar vs. Toscanear
'Toscanear' (or 'tosquenejar') is a more obscure, literary word. It specifically describes the physical 'nodding' of the head when someone is falling asleep while sitting up. It is more about the movement than the sleep itself.

Ele não estava a dormir, estava apenas a cochilar (or dormitar).

Dormitar vs. Pestanejar
'Pestanejar' means to blink. However, in the phrase 'sem pestanejar' (without blinking/without hesitation), it is used to show alertness. 'Dormitar' is the opposite—it's when the blinking stops and the eyes stay closed for short bursts.

A criança começou a dormitar no colo da mãe.

Parei de trabalhar para descansar os olhos, mas acabei por dormitar.

Dormitar vs. Repousar
'Repousar' is 'to rest.' It is more formal and doesn't necessarily mean you are asleep. You can 'repousar' while awake. 'Dormitar' always implies that light level of sleep has actually started.

O gato dormita pacíficamente no parapeito da janela.

Não quero dormir profundamente, só dormitar uns dez minutos.

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مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

1

O gato gosta de dormitar ao sol.

The cat likes to doze in the sun.

Simple present tense of 'dormitar'.

2

Eu dormito no autocarro todos os dias.

I doze on the bus every day.

First person singular present tense.

3

Ela dormita um pouco depois do almoço.

She dozes a bit after lunch.

Third person singular present tense.

4

Nós dormitamos no jardim.

We doze in the garden.

First person plural present tense.

5

Eles dormitam durante o filme.

They doze during the movie.

Third person plural present tense.

6

Tu dormitas muito cedo.

You doze very early.

Second person singular present tense.

7

O bebé dormita no berço.

The baby dozes in the crib.

Present tense used for a current state.

8

A Maria dormita na cadeira.

Maria dozes in the chair.

Subject-verb agreement (singular).

1

Estou a dormitar porque estou muito cansado.

I am dozing because I am very tired.

Present continuous (European style).

2

Vimos o cão a dormitar perto da lareira.

We saw the dog dozing near the fireplace.

Infinitive after a verb of perception (ver).

3

Não me acordes, só quero dormitar dez minutos.

Don't wake me up, I just want to doze for ten minutes.

Infinitive used to express desire/intent.

4

Ele estava dormitando quando o telefone tocou.

He was dozing when the phone rang.

Past continuous (Brazilian style).

5

Costumas dormitar durante as aulas?

Do you usually doze during classes?

Infinitive after the auxiliary 'costumar'.

6

A avó dormita sempre à frente da televisão.

Grandma always dozes in front of the TV.

Present tense expressing a habit.

7

Senti-me a dormitar durante a reunião.

I felt myself dozing during the meeting.

Reflexive verb 'sentir-se' followed by infinitive.

8

Eles preferem dormitar no sofá do que ir para a cama.

They prefer to doze on the sofa than go to bed.

Comparison using 'preferir... do que'.

1

Enquanto o comboio não chegava, eu dormitava calmamente.

While the train didn't arrive, I was dozing calmly.

Imperfect tense for background action.

2

Se eu dormitasse agora, perderia o início do jogo.

If I were to doze now, I would miss the start of the game.

Imperfect subjunctive expressing a condition.

3

Ela dormitou durante toda a conferência de imprensa.

She dozed throughout the entire press conference.

Preterite perfect for a completed action in the past.

4

É relaxante dormitar ao som da chuva.

It is relaxing to doze to the sound of the rain.

Impersonal expression 'É + adjective' followed by infinitive.

5

O guarda foi repreendido por dormitar no posto.

The guard was reprimanded for dozing on duty.

Passive voice with 'por' + infinitive.

6

Espero que não dormites enquanto conduzes!

I hope you don't doze while you drive!

Present subjunctive after 'esperar que'.

7

Dormitámos um pouco antes de continuar a caminhada.

We dozed a bit before continuing the hike.

Preterite perfect, first person plural.

8

Muitas vezes, dormitar é melhor do que tomar café.

Often, dozing is better than drinking coffee.

Infinitive used as a noun/subject.

1

O projeto parecia dormitar, aguardando por novos investimentos.

The project seemed to be slumbering, waiting for new investments.

Metaphorical use of the verb.

2

Apesar do café, ele continuava a dormitar sobre os livros.

Despite the coffee, he continued to doze over the books.

Periphrastic structure 'continuar a' + infinitive.

3

Dormitar em público pode ser embaraçoso em certas culturas.

Dozing in public can be embarrassing in certain cultures.

Infinitive as subject with a modal 'pode'.

4

O autor descreve a cidade como se ela estivesse a dormitar.

The author describes the city as if it were dozing.

Simile using 'como se' + imperfect subjunctive.

5

Não convém dormitar quando se está a ouvir instruções importantes.

It is not advisable to doze when one is listening to important instructions.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

6

Terás dormitado o tempo suficiente para te sentires melhor?

Will you have dozed long enough to feel better?

Future perfect tense used for questioning a past action.

7

A luz suave convidava-os a dormitar por instantes.

The soft light invited them to doze for moments.

Verb 'convidar' + 'a' + infinitive.

8

Dormitando ou não, ele ouviu tudo o que dissemos.

Dozing or not, he heard everything we said.

Gerund used in a concessive sense.

1

A vila, estendida ao longo do rio, parecia dormitar num sono secular.

The village, stretched along the river, seemed to doze in a centuries-old sleep.

Literary description with personification.

2

Raramente o víamos dormitar, tal era a sua energia inesgotável.

We rarely saw him dozing, such was his inexhaustible energy.

Object pronoun 'o' with infinitive.

3

É imperativo que a equipa não dormite perante os avanços da concorrência.

It is imperative that the team does not doze in the face of the competition's advances.

Present subjunctive after an impersonal imperative expression.

4

O paciente passava o dia num estado letárgico, a dormitar intermitentemente.

The patient spent the day in a lethargic state, dozing intermittently.

Adverbial use of the infinitive with 'a'.

5

A consciência do dever impedia-o de dormitar, mesmo exausto.

The awareness of duty prevented him from dozing, even exhausted.

Verb 'impedir' + 'de' + infinitive.

6

Dormitava-se naquelas tardes quentes de verão, sem nada para fazer.

One would doze on those hot summer afternoons, with nothing to do.

Impersonal passive voice with 'se'.

7

O génio, por vezes, parece dormitar, mas a sua mente nunca para.

Genius, at times, seems to doze, but its mind never stops.

Abstract subject with metaphorical verb.

8

Ao dormitar, ele teve visões que mais tarde transformaria em poesia.

Upon dozing, he had visions that he would later transform into poetry.

'Ao' + infinitive to indicate 'when' or 'upon'.

1

A negligência permitiu que o perigo dormitasse nas fundações do edifício.

Negligence allowed the danger to slumber in the building's foundations.

Highly metaphorical use involving abstract concepts.

2

Não permitas que a tua ambição dormite; mantém-na sempre desperta.

Do not allow your ambition to doze; keep it always awake.

Negative imperative followed by subjunctive.

3

O sol de outono, filtrado pelas persianas, convidava ao ato de dormitar.

The autumn sun, filtered through the blinds, invited the act of dozing.

Nominalization of the verb's action.

4

Havia um silêncio tal que se podia ouvir a própria terra a dormitar.

There was such a silence that one could hear the earth itself dozing.

Poetic personification of the planet.

5

Sempre que a justiça dormita, a injustiça ganha terreno.

Whenever justice dozes, injustice gains ground.

Aphoristic usage in a conditional temporal clause.

6

O felino, embora parecesse dormitar, vigiava cada movimento da presa.

The feline, although it seemed to be dozing, watched every movement of the prey.

Concessive clause with 'embora' + subjunctive.

7

Dormitar sobre os louros é o primeiro passo para o declínio.

Resting on one's laurels is the first step toward decline.

Variation of the idiom 'descansar sobre os louros'.

8

A sua erudição não o impedia de dormitar perante discursos vazios.

His erudition did not prevent him from dozing in the face of empty speeches.

Complex sentence with contrastive elements.

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