Dreaming in English: How to write 'dormir' in English

Dreaming in English: How to write 'dormir' in English

The Spanish verb "dormir" is a versatile word that can be translated into English in several different ways, depending on the context. In this article, we will explore the various meanings of "dormir" and how to accurately express them in English.

Intransitive uses of “dormir”

When used intransitively, "dormir" simply means "to sleep". For example, "Hay que dormir por lo menos seis horas cada noche" translates to "One should sleep at least six hours a night".

However, "dormir" can also be used to express the act of spending the night somewhere. For instance, "Dormí en casa de mi abuela" means "I spent the night at my grandmother's house".

In addition, "dormir" can be used to indicate sleeping together, as in "Creo que Marco y Ana dormieron juntos anoche" which translates to "I think Marco and Ana slept together last night".

Lastly, "dormir" can be used to describe something lying idle or unused. For example, "Sus ahorros no han crecido porque ha dejado la cuenta dormir" means "His savings haven't grown because he let the account lie idle".

Transitive uses of “dormir”

When used transitively, "dormir" can have different meanings depending on the context.

In the United States, "dormir" can mean "to put to sleep". For example, "Duermo a mis niños con un cuento" translates to "I put my children to sleep with a story".

Similarly, "dormir" can be used to express the act of getting someone off to sleep. For instance, "Voy a dormir los niños y luego regreso" means "I'm going to get the children off to sleep and then I'll be back".

Furthermore, "dormir" can be used to describe the action of sending someone to sleep. For example, "Ese profesor lo duerme a sus estudiantes con su voz monótona" translates to "That teacher sends his students to sleep with his monotonous voice".

It's important to note that "dormir" can also be used to describe the act of putting an animal to sleep, either for anesthesia or euthanasia. For instance, "Dormieron a mi perro para limpiarle los dientes" means "They put my dog to sleep in order to clean his teeth".

Similarly, "dormir" can be used to express the act of euthanizing an animal. For example, "Mi hermano tuvo que dormir a su perro porque tenía cáncer" translates to "My brother had to put his dog to sleep because it had cancer".

Reflexive form of “dormir”

In the reflexive form, "dormirse" is used to indicate the act of putting oneself to sleep. For example, "Mi hermano tuvo que dormirse a su perro porque tenía cáncer" means "My brother had to put his dog to sleep because it had cancer".

Idiomatic phrases using “dormir”

There are also several idiomatic phrases in Spanish that use the verb "dormir". For example, "No te duermas o no acabarás a tiempo" means "Don't slack off or you won't finish in time".

Another example is "Por dormirse se perdió la clave para ganar el premio" which translates to "He missed the clue to win the prize because he didn't stay on his toes".

Conclusion

The verb "dormir" in Spanish can be translated into English in various ways, depending on the context. It's important to understand the different meanings and uses of "dormir" in order to accurately express oneself in English. Whether it's talking about sleeping, spending the night, or putting someone to sleep, knowing the appropriate English equivalents will help you communicate effectively in English.