Signification
To be unable to sleep at all, often due to worry or excitement.
Contexte culturel
In Spain, the 'trasnochar' (staying up late) culture is very strong. Saying 'no puedo dormir' at midnight might be met with '¡Pero si es temprano!' (But it's early!). There is a famous song called 'No puedo dormir' by various artists. It's a common theme in Boleros and Rancheras, usually linked to 'desamor' (heartbreak). Argentines are among the biggest consumers of therapy in the world. 'No poder dormir' is often discussed in the context of 'estrés' and 'psicoanálisis'. In coffee-growing regions, 'no poder dormir' is jokingly blamed on 'un tinto' (a small black coffee) taken too late in the day.
Add 'nada'
Add 'nada' at the end to sound more native and emphasize your frustration: 'No pude dormir nada'.
Poder vs Saber
Never say 'No sé dormir'. It sounds like you never learned the skill of sleeping as a baby.
Signification
To be unable to sleep at all, often due to worry or excitement.
Add 'nada'
Add 'nada' at the end to sound more native and emphasize your frustration: 'No pude dormir nada'.
Poder vs Saber
Never say 'No sé dormir'. It sounds like you never learned the skill of sleeping as a baby.
Prepositions matter
Use 'de' for emotions (de alegría) and 'por' for external things (por el ruido).
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'poder' in the present tense.
Yo estoy muy nervioso y no _______ dormir.
The subject is 'Yo', so the verb must be 'puedo' (with the o->ue change).
Which sentence means 'I couldn't sleep at all last night'?
Selecciona la opción correcta:
'Anoche' requires the preterite 'pude', and 'nada' adds the 'at all' emphasis.
Match the reason with the sentence.
Match the following:
All these are valid reasons to use the phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Por qué tienes mala cara? B: Es que anoche _________.
The question asks about your current appearance based on what happened last night (preterite).
In which situation would you say 'No puedo dormir de la emoción'?
Situación:
'De la emoción' implies positive excitement.
Complete with the correct preposition (por/de).
No puedo dormir _____ el ruido de los coches.
Use 'por' for external causes like noise.
🎉 Score : /6
Aides visuelles
Poder vs. Saber
Banque d exercices
6 exercicesYo estoy muy nervioso y no _______ dormir.
The subject is 'Yo', so the verb must be 'puedo' (with the o->ue change).
Selecciona la opción correcta:
'Anoche' requires the preterite 'pude', and 'nada' adds the 'at all' emphasis.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All these are valid reasons to use the phrase.
A: ¿Por qué tienes mala cara? B: Es que anoche _________.
The question asks about your current appearance based on what happened last night (preterite).
Situación:
'De la emoción' implies positive excitement.
No puedo dormir _____ el ruido de los coches.
Use 'por' for external causes like noise.
🎉 Score : /6
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it in any context, from a doctor's office to a chat with friends.
'Insomnio' is the medical noun. 'No puedo dormir' is the verbal expression of the experience.
Yes, but it specifically means 'I can't fall asleep'. 'No puedo dormir' covers both falling asleep and staying asleep.
Use the idiom 'No pegué ojo'.
Because 'poder' is a stem-changing verb where the 'o' changes to 'ue' in the present tense.
Extremely. Due to late dinners and noisy streets, it's a very frequent complaint.
A common sympathetic response is '¡Qué horror!' or 'Lo siento mucho, espero que descanses hoy'.
Yes, 'Mi perro no puede dormir' is perfectly fine.
No, it can also mean you are very excited (no puedo dormir de la emoción).
For 'I couldn't sleep (last night)', use 'No pude dormir'.
Expressions liées
No pegar ojo
synonymTo not sleep a wink
Pasar la noche en vela
similarTo stay awake all night
Tener insomnio
specialized formTo have insomnia
Estar desvelado
similarTo be wide awake at night
Dormir como un tronco
contrastTo sleep like a log
Conciliar el sueño
builds onTo fall asleep
