Significado
To feel the need to sleep.
Contexto cultural
The 'siesta' is a famous tradition, though in modern cities it's more of a weekend luxury. Saying 'tengo sueño' at 3 PM is a very common justification for a quick nap. The 'mal de puerco' (the pig's evil) is a humorous way to describe the intense sleepiness after a large meal. You would say 'Tengo sueño' as a result of this. Argentines are known for staying up very late. It's common to hear 'tengo sueño' at a dinner that starts at midnight. In Colombia, coffee (tinto) is the universal cure for 'tener sueño'. If you say you have sleep, someone will immediately offer you a small cup of coffee.
The 'Mucho' Rule
Always use 'mucho' with 'tengo sueño'. Never use 'muy'.
Tener vs Estar
This is the #1 mistake. Practice 'Tengo sueño' as a single block of sound.
Significado
To feel the need to sleep.
The 'Mucho' Rule
Always use 'mucho' with 'tengo sueño'. Never use 'muy'.
Tener vs Estar
This is the #1 mistake. Practice 'Tengo sueño' as a single block of sound.
Polite Exit
In Spanish culture, saying 'tengo sueño' is a perfectly polite way to leave a social gathering.
Teste-se
How do you say 'I am very sleepy' in Spanish?
Choose the correct option:
We use 'tener' (tengo) and 'mucho' because 'sueño' is a noun.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'tener'.
Nosotros ______ sueño después de la fiesta.
'Nosotros' requires the 'tenemos' form of the verb.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: It's 2 AM and you can't keep your eyes open.
'Tengo sueño' is used when you want to sleep.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Quieres café? B: Sí, por favor. ______ mucho sueño.
You 'have' sleepiness in Spanish.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosChoose the correct option:
We use 'tener' (tengo) and 'mucho' because 'sueño' is a noun.
Nosotros ______ sueño después de la fiesta.
'Nosotros' requires the 'tenemos' form of the verb.
Situation: It's 2 AM and you can't keep your eyes open.
'Tengo sueño' is used when you want to sleep.
A: ¿Quieres café? B: Sí, por favor. ______ mucho sueño.
You 'have' sleepiness in Spanish.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, but it's much less common and sounds more formal or literary. 'Tengo sueño' is what everyone actually says.
Because 'sueño' is a masculine noun ({el|m} sueño).
Not directly, but you can say 'esta clase me da sueño' to imply it's boring.
You say 'Ya no tengo sueño' or 'Se me quitó el sueño'.
No, it's too informal and might make you look unprofessional. Avoid it there!
'Sueño' (singular) usually means sleepiness. 'Sueños' (plural) almost always means the dreams you have while sleeping.
No, that doesn't make sense. You might mean 'Sueño contigo' (I dream about you).
Yes, it is universally understood and used from Spain to Argentina.
Use 'Tengo muchísimo sueño' or 'Me muero de sueño'.
Only if you say 'Tengo UN sueño'. Without 'un', it's just sleepiness.
Frases relacionadas
estar cansado
similarto be tired
echarse una siesta
builds onto take a nap
quedarse dormido
builds onto fall asleep
tener ganas de dormir
synonymto feel like sleeping
desvelarse
contrastto stay up late / be unable to sleep
