Meaning
To feel tired and ready for sleep.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, it is very common to use 'estar com' instead of 'ter' for temporary physical states. 'Tô com sono' is heard more often in the streets than 'Tenho sono'. In Portugal, the use of 'ter' is very standard and slightly more formal than the Brazilian 'estar com' in daily conversation. Similar to Portugal, 'ter sono' is the primary way to express this, often used in the context of the heat of the day.
The 'Com' Trick
If you forget 'ter', you can use 'estar', but you MUST add 'com'. 'Estou com sono' is a native-level shortcut.
No 'Ser'
Never say 'Eu sou sono'. It sounds like you are the physical embodiment of sleep itself!
Meaning
To feel tired and ready for sleep.
The 'Com' Trick
If you forget 'ter', you can use 'estar', but you MUST add 'com'. 'Estou com sono' is a native-level shortcut.
No 'Ser'
Never say 'Eu sou sono'. It sounds like you are the physical embodiment of sleep itself!
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'ter'.
Eu ___ muito sono às dez da noite.
'Eu' requires the first-person singular form 'tenho'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'Are you sleepy?' to a friend?
We use 'ter' + 'sono' to ask about sleepiness.
Match the Portuguese to the English.
Match the following:
Correctly matches the subject pronouns to the conjugated verb.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Por que você está bocejando (yawning)? B: Porque eu ____.
Yawning is a sign of 'ter sono'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Things you 'Have' (Ter) in Portuguese
Physical States
- • Sono (Sleepiness)
- • Fome (Hunger)
- • Sede (Thirst)
- • Frio (Cold)
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu ___ muito sono às dez da noite.
'Eu' requires the first-person singular form 'tenho'.
How do you say 'Are you sleepy?' to a friend?
We use 'ter' + 'sono' to ask about sleepiness.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Correctly matches the subject pronouns to the conjugated verb.
A: Por que você está bocejando (yawning)? B: Porque eu ____.
Yawning is a sign of 'ter sono'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes! 'Muito' (much/very) is the standard way to intensify this phrase.
It is masculine: 'o sono'.
'Sono' is sleepiness or the state of sleep; 'soneca' is a short nap.
Related Phrases
Estar com sono
similarTo be sleepy (temporary state)
Pegar no sono
builds onTo fall asleep
Sono pesado
specialized formHeavy sleeper
Perder o sono
contrastTo lose sleep / be unable to sleep
