Meaning
To retire for sleep.
Cultural Background
Bedtime in Spain is famously late. Prime-time television often doesn't start until 10:00 PM, meaning many people don't 'ir a la cama' until well after midnight. In many Mexican households, 'ir a la cama' is preceded by 'la merienda', a light evening snack or sweet bread with coffee or chocolate. Argentines also tend to have late dinners. 'Ir a la cama' before 11 PM is considered very early for an adult in Buenos Aires. The phrase '¡A la cama!' is the universal 'no-nonsense' command from parents across the Spanish-speaking world to end the day.
Use the reflexive
Saying 'Me voy a la cama' sounds more natural when you are leaving a room to go sleep.
Don't forget 'LA'
Never say 'voy a cama'. It's a very common English-speaker mistake.
Meaning
To retire for sleep.
Use the reflexive
Saying 'Me voy a la cama' sounds more natural when you are leaving a room to go sleep.
Don't forget 'LA'
Never say 'voy a cama'. It's a very common English-speaker mistake.
Late nights
Don't be surprised if your Spanish friends don't go to bed until 1 AM!
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'ir'.
Yo ______ a la cama a las once de la noche.
'Yo' requires the first-person singular form 'voy'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct option:
Spanish requires both the preposition 'a' and the feminine article 'la'.
Complete the dialogue.
Madre: '¡Niños, es muy tarde!' Niños: 'Está bien, mamá. Ya _______ a la cama.'
The children are speaking as 'we' (nosotros), so 'vamos' is correct.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a party and you are very tired. What do you say to your host?
While 'voy a la cama' is for when you are *at* the place you sleep, 'me voy a casa' is more appropriate when leaving a party.
Complete the past tense sentence.
Ayer estaba tan cansado que ______ a la cama a las ocho.
The preterite 'fui' is used for a completed action in the past.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Ir a la cama vs. Acostarse
Practice Bank
5 exercisesYo ______ a la cama a las once de la noche.
'Yo' requires the first-person singular form 'voy'.
Select the correct option:
Spanish requires both the preposition 'a' and the feminine article 'la'.
Madre: '¡Niños, es muy tarde!' Niños: 'Está bien, mamá. Ya _______ a la cama.'
The children are speaking as 'we' (nosotros), so 'vamos' is correct.
You are at a party and you are very tired. What do you say to your host?
While 'voy a la cama' is for when you are *at* the place you sleep, 'me voy a casa' is more appropriate when leaving a party.
Ayer estaba tan cansado que ______ a la cama a las ocho.
The preterite 'fui' is used for a completed action in the past.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it's less common. 'Ir a la cama' is the standard idiom even if it's your own bed.
'Ir a la cama' is more about the movement/routine, while 'acostarse' is the physical act of lying down. 'Acostarse' is also a reflexive verb.
It can be, but only if the context suggests it (e.g., 'fueron a la cama juntos'). In 99% of daily use, it just means sleeping.
'Me voy a la cama' or simply 'A la cama. ¡Buenas noches!' are perfect.
No, for a nap use 'echarse una siesta'.
It is always 'la cama' (feminine).
Only if you are traveling with colleagues and saying goodnight. It's a neutral phrase.
'Irse al sobre' is a very common informal way to say it.
It's due to the cultural schedule, late dinners, and the historical influence of the siesta.
Yes, it is universally understood and used from Spain to Argentina.
Related Phrases
Acostarse
synonymTo lie down / go to bed
Dormirse
similarTo fall asleep
Descansar
similarTo rest
Trasnochar
contrastTo stay up late / pull an all-nighter
Madrugar
contrastTo wake up very early
Hacer la cama
builds onTo make the bed
