Mastering “Dormir”: A Comprehensive Guide to Spanish Verb Conjugation

Understanding verb conjugation is crucial for achieving fluency in Spanish, and the verb dormir (to sleep) is a prime example of a stem-changing verb. Mastering its conjugation allows you to express various tenses and moods, adding depth and accuracy to your communication. This comprehensive guide is designed for learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced students, who want to perfect their understanding and usage of dormir in Spanish. By the end of this article, you will confidently conjugate dormir in all its forms and use it correctly in various contexts.

This article provides a detailed breakdown of the verb dormir, including its definition, conjugation in various tenses, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises. Whether you’re preparing for an exam, improving your conversational skills, or simply expanding your knowledge of Spanish grammar, this guide will provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of Dormir
3. Structural Breakdown of Dormir
4. Types of Conjugation
5. Present Indicative
6. Preterite (Past) Indicative
7. Imperfect Indicative
8. Future Indicative
9. Conditional Indicative
10. Present Subjunctive
11. Imperfect Subjunctive
12. Future Subjunctive (Rare)
13. Imperative (Commands)
14. Examples of Dormir in Sentences
15. Usage Rules for Dormir
16. Common Mistakes with Dormir
17. Practice Exercises
18. Advanced Topics
19. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
20. Conclusion

Definition of Dormir

The Spanish verb dormir translates to “to sleep” in English. It is an irregular verb due to its stem-changing nature in certain conjugations. Specifically, dormir is an o:ue stem-changing verb, meaning that the o in the stem changes to ue in certain present tense and subjunctive forms. It’s a verb that describes a state of rest and unconsciousness, essential for daily life and frequently used in conversation.

Dormir belongs to the third conjugation of Spanish verbs, which ends in -ir. Understanding its conjugation patterns is essential for expressing when and how someone sleeps, as well as for discussing related concepts like dreams, rest, and insomnia. The verb can also be used figuratively to describe a state of inactivity or neglect.

Structural Breakdown of Dormir

The structure of dormir follows the typical pattern of Spanish verbs, with a stem and an ending that changes according to the tense, mood, and person. The stem of dormir is dorm-, but this changes to duerm- in certain forms due to the stem-changing rule. The endings then attach to this stem to indicate the specific conjugation.

For example, in the present indicative tense, the stem changes to duerm- for all forms except nosotros and vosotros. Here’s a breakdown of the present indicative:

• Yo duermo (I sleep)
• Tú duermes (You sleep)
• Él/Ella/Usted duerme (He/She/You (formal) sleep)
• Nosotros/Nosotras dormimos (We sleep)
• Vosotros/Vosotras dormís (You (plural, informal) sleep)
• Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes duermen (They/You (plural, formal) sleep)

As you can see, the stem changes to duerm- in all forms except nosotros and vosotros, where it remains dorm-. The endings -o, -es, -e, -imos, -ís, -en are then added to the stem to complete the conjugation.

Types of Conjugation

Dormir is conjugated in various tenses and moods to express different aspects of time and certainty. Here’s a detailed look at the conjugation of dormir in the most common tenses and moods:

Present Indicative

The present indicative is used to describe actions happening now or habitual actions. As mentioned earlier, dormir undergoes a stem change in this tense.

Pronoun	Conjugation	Translation
Yo	Duermo	I sleep
Tú	Duermes	You sleep
Él/Ella/Usted	Duerme	He/She/You (formal) sleeps
Nosotros/Nosotras	Dormimos	We sleep
Vosotros/Vosotras	Dormís	You (plural, informal) sleep
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	Duermen	They/You (plural, formal) sleep

The table above showcases the present indicative conjugation of “dormir,” highlighting the stem change from “o” to “ue” in all forms except “nosotros” and “vosotros.” Understanding this pattern is crucial for accurate communication in the present tense.

Preterite (Past) Indicative

The preterite indicative is used to describe completed actions in the past. In this tense, dormir does not undergo a stem change.

Pronoun	Conjugation	Translation
Yo	Dormí	I slept
Tú	Dormiste	You slept
Él/Ella/Usted	Durmió	He/She/You (formal) slept
Nosotros/Nosotras	Dormimos	We slept
Vosotros/Vosotras	Dormisteis	You (plural, informal) slept
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	Durmieron	They/You (plural, formal) slept

The preterite indicative tense, as shown in the table, indicates completed past actions. Notice that ‘durmió’ and ‘durmieron’ have a ‘u’ instead of an ‘o’; this is a stem change that occurs in the third person singular and plural forms in the preterite tense for -ir stem-changing verbs.

Imperfect Indicative

The imperfect indicative is used to describe ongoing or habitual actions in the past. Dormir does not undergo a stem change in this tense.

Pronoun	Conjugation	Translation
Yo	Dormía	I used to sleep/was sleeping
Tú	Dormías	You used to sleep/were sleeping
Él/Ella/Usted	Dormía	He/She/You (formal) used to sleep/was sleeping
Nosotros/Nosotras	Dormíamos	We used to sleep/were sleeping
Vosotros/Vosotras	Dormíais	You (plural, informal) used to sleep/were sleeping
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	Dormían	They/You (plural, formal) used to sleep/were sleeping

The imperfect indicative describes past habitual actions or states. The table above clearly demonstrates how “dormir” is conjugated in this tense, highlighting the consistent endings across different pronouns.

Future Indicative

The future indicative is used to describe actions that will happen in the future. Dormir does not undergo a stem change in this tense.

Pronoun	Conjugation	Translation
Yo	Dormiré	I will sleep
Tú	Dormirás	You will sleep
Él/Ella/Usted	Dormirá	He/She/You (formal) will sleep
Nosotros/Nosotras	Dormiremos	We will sleep
Vosotros/Vosotras	Dormiréis	You (plural, informal) will sleep
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	Dormirán	They/You (plural, formal) will sleep

As evidenced in the table, the future indicative of “dormir” is formed by adding specific endings to the infinitive. This tense is used to express actions that will occur in the future.

Conditional Indicative

The conditional indicative is used to describe actions that would happen under certain conditions. Dormir does not undergo a stem change in this tense.

Pronoun	Conjugation	Translation
Yo	Dormiría	I would sleep
Tú	Dormirías	You would sleep
Él/Ella/Usted	Dormiría	He/She/You (formal) would sleep
Nosotros/Nosotras	Dormiríamos	We would sleep
Vosotros/Vosotras	Dormiríais	You (plural, informal) would sleep
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	Dormirían	They/You (plural, formal) would sleep

Similar to the future indicative, the conditional indicative uses the infinitive form of the verb as its base. The table provides a clear illustration of how “dormir” is conjugated in this tense to express hypothetical actions.

Present Subjunctive

The present subjunctive is used to express doubts, wishes, emotions, or possibilities. Dormir undergoes a stem change in this tense, similar to the present indicative.

Pronoun	Conjugation	Translation
Yo	Duerma	That I sleep
Tú	Duermas	That you sleep
Él/Ella/Usted	Duerma	That he/she/you (formal) sleep
Nosotros/Nosotras	Durmamos	That we sleep
Vosotros/Vosotras	Durmáis	That you (plural, informal) sleep
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	Duerman	That they/you (plural, formal) sleep

The present subjunctive form of “dormir,” as shown in the table, also exhibits the stem change from “o” to “ue” in most forms, except “nosotros” and “vosotros.” This tense is used in dependent clauses to express subjective or uncertain actions.

Imperfect Subjunctive

The imperfect subjunctive has two forms, both used to express hypothetical or past subjunctive actions. Dormir undergoes a stem change in the third person plural in both forms.

Form 1 (-ra)

Pronoun	Conjugation	Translation
Yo	Durmiera	That I slept/would sleep
Tú	Durmieras	That you slept/would sleep
Él/Ella/Usted	Durmiera	That he/she/you (formal) slept/would sleep
Nosotros/Nosotras	Durmiéramos	That we slept/would sleep
Vosotros/Vosotras	Durmierais	That you (plural, informal) slept/would sleep
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	Durmieran	That they/you (plural, formal) slept/would sleep

Form 2 (-se)

Pronoun	Conjugation	Translation
Yo	Durmiese	That I slept/would sleep
Tú	Durmieses	That you slept/would sleep
Él/Ella/Usted	Durmiese	That he/she/you (formal) slept/would sleep
Nosotros/Nosotras	Durmiésemos	That we slept/would sleep
Vosotros/Vosotras	Durmieseis	That you (plural, informal) slept/would sleep
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	Durmiesen	That they/you (plural, formal) slept/would sleep

The imperfect subjunctive has two forms, identified by the “-ra” and “-se” endings. Both forms are used to express past subjunctive actions or hypothetical situations.

The stem changes to “durmie-” in all forms except nosotros in both forms.

Future Subjunctive (Rare)

The future subjunctive is rarely used in modern Spanish, but it’s important to recognize it. It’s typically found in legal or formal contexts. Dormir undergoes a stem change in the third person plural.

Pronoun	Conjugation	Translation
Yo	Durmiere	If I should sleep
Tú	Durmieres	If you should sleep
Él/Ella/Usted	Durmiere	If he/she/you (formal) should sleep
Nosotros/Nosotras	Durmiéremos	If we should sleep
Vosotros/Vosotras	Durmiereis	If you (plural, informal) should sleep
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	Durmieren	If they/you (plural, formal) should sleep

The future subjunctive of “dormir,” while rare in modern usage, is formed using the “durmie-” stem. This tense is primarily found in legal or very formal contexts to express hypothetical future actions.

Imperative (Commands)

The imperative mood is used to give commands or make requests. The forms are different for affirmative and negative commands.

Affirmative

Pronoun	Conjugation	Translation
Tú	Duerme	Sleep!
Usted	Duerma	Sleep! (formal)
Nosotros/Nosotras	Durmamos	Let’s sleep!
Vosotros/Vosotras	Dormid	Sleep! (plural, informal)
Ustedes	Duerman	Sleep! (plural, formal)

Negative

Pronoun	Conjugation	Translation
Tú	No duermas	Don’t sleep!
Usted	No duerma	Don’t sleep! (formal)
Nosotros/Nosotras	No durmamos	Let’s not sleep!
Vosotros/Vosotras	No durmáis	Don’t sleep! (plural, informal)
Ustedes	No duerman	Don’t sleep! (plural, formal)

The tables above demonstrate the affirmative and negative imperative forms of “dormir.” Note the stem changes in the “tú” and “usted” forms of the affirmative imperative, as well as the use of subjunctive forms in the negative imperative.

Examples of Dormir in Sentences

Here are some examples of dormir used in various tenses and contexts:

Tense	Sentence	Translation
Present Indicative	Yo duermo ocho horas cada noche.	I sleep eight hours every night.
Preterite Indicative	Ayer, dormí hasta tarde.	Yesterday, I slept in late.
Imperfect Indicative	Cuando era niño, siempre dormía con un peluche.	When I was a child, I always slept with a stuffed animal.
Future Indicative	Mañana dormiré todo el día.	Tomorrow I will sleep all day.
Conditional Indicative	Si no tuviera que trabajar, dormiría hasta el mediodía.	If I didn’t have to work, I would sleep until noon.
Present Subjunctive	Espero que duermas bien.	I hope you sleep well.
Imperfect Subjunctive (-ra)	Quería que durmieras más.	I wanted you to sleep more.
Imperfect Subjunctive (-se)	Si durmieses mejor, estarías más feliz.	If you slept better, you would be happier.
Future Subjunctive	Si durmieres poco, no rendirás bien. (Rare)	If you should sleep little, you will not perform well.
Imperative (Affirmative)	Duerme bien.	Sleep well.
Imperative (Negative)	No duermas en clase.	Don’t sleep in class.
Present Indicative	¿Duermen ustedes la siesta?	Do you (plural, formal) take a nap?
Preterite Indicative	Ella durmió profundamente después del viaje.	She slept deeply after the trip.
Imperfect Indicative	Antes, nosotros dormíamos en tiendas de campaña durante el verano.	Before, we used to sleep in tents during the summer.
Future Indicative	En el futuro, todos dormiremos en cápsulas especiales.	In the future, we will all sleep in special capsules.
Conditional Indicative	Yo dormiría en el suelo si no hubiera camas.	I would sleep on the floor if there were no beds.
Present Subjunctive	Es importante que él duerma lo suficiente.	It is important that he sleeps enough.
Imperfect Subjunctive (-ra)	Ojalá que ellos durmieran más tiempo.	I wish they slept longer.
Imperfect Subjunctive (-se)	Si yo durmiese en una hamaca, estaría muy relajado.	If I slept in a hammock, I would be very relaxed.
Future Subjunctive	Si alguien durmiere en mi cama, me enfadaría. (Rare)	If someone should sleep in my bed, I would get angry.
Imperative (Affirmative)	Dormid bien, niños.	Sleep well, children.
Imperative (Negative)	No duerma usted aquí, por favor.	Please do not sleep here.
Present Indicative	Mi gato siempre duerme en mi cama.	My cat always sleeps on my bed.
Preterite Indicative	Anoche dormimos en un hotel de lujo.	Last night we slept in a luxury hotel.
Imperfect Indicative	Cuando vivía en España, dormía la siesta todos los días.	When I lived in Spain, I used to take a nap every day.
Future Indicative	Después del trabajo, dormiré una siesta.	After work, I will take a nap.
Conditional Indicative	Si tuviera tiempo, dormiría más.	If I had time, I would sleep more.
Present Subjunctive	No creo que ella duerma bien en ese colchón.	I don’t think she sleeps well on that mattress.
Imperfect Subjunctive (-ra)	Me sorprendió que durmierais tan poco.	I was surprised that you (plural, informal) slept so little.
Imperfect Subjunctive (-se)	Si él durmiese la siesta, se sentiría mejor.	If he took a nap, he would feel better.
Future Subjunctive	Quien durmiere en esta habitación, deberá limpiarla. (Rare)	Whoever should sleep in this room, must clean it.
Imperative (Affirmative)	Duerme la siesta, te sentirás mejor.	Take a nap, you will feel better.
Imperative (Negative)	No duerman ustedes en el tren.	Do not sleep on the train.

This table presents “dormir” in various tenses and contexts, providing clear examples of its usage in different situations. Each sentence demonstrates how the conjugation changes based on the tense and subject.

Usage Rules for Dormir

Here are some important rules to keep in mind when using dormir:

1. Stem Change: Remember that dormir is an o:ue stem-changing verb in the present indicative and present subjunctive. The o changes to ue in all forms except nosotros and vosotros. In the preterite, the stem changes to ‘u’ in the él/ella/usted and ellos/ellas/ustedes forms.
2. Reflexive Pronouns: Dormir can be used with reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se) to indicate that someone is falling asleep or putting themselves to sleep. For example: Me duermo (I’m falling asleep).
3. Expressions: Dormir is used in many common expressions, such as dormir la siesta (to take a nap), dormir a pierna suelta (to sleep soundly), and dormir como un tronco (to sleep like a log).
4. Subjunctive Mood: Use the subjunctive mood when expressing doubts, wishes, emotions, or possibilities related to sleeping. For example: Es importante que duermas bien (It’s important that you sleep well).
5. Commands: When giving commands, use the imperative mood. Remember that the affirmative and negative commands have different forms.

Understanding these rules will help you use dormir correctly and confidently in a variety of situations. Paying attention to the stem changes and the appropriate use of tenses and moods is crucial for accurate communication.

Common Mistakes with Dormir

Here are some common mistakes that learners make when conjugating and using dormir, along with corrections:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Yo dormo	Yo duermo	Incorrect stem change in the present indicative.
Tú dormes	Tú duermes	Incorrect stem change in the present indicative.
Nosotros duermimos	Nosotros dormimos	Stem change should not occur in the nosotros form.
Ellos dormen	Ellos duermen	Incorrect stem change in the present indicative.
Dormí bien anoche.	Durmió bien anoche. (él/ella/usted) OR Dormí bien anoche (yo)	Incorrect stem change (or lack thereof) in the preterite. The correct form depends on the subject.
Es importante que dormes bien.	Es importante que duermas bien.	Incorrect stem change in the present subjunctive.
Si yo dormiría, estaría más feliz.	Si yo durmiera/durmiese, estaría más feliz.	Incorrect tense; should be imperfect subjunctive.
Dormir usted.	Duerma usted.	Incorrect imperative form; needs stem change for formal command.
No duermes en clase.	No duermas en clase.	Incorrect negative imperative form for ‘tú’.
Yo dormiré bien.	Yo dormiré bien.	This sentence is already correct. It is included to show that not all sentences are incorrect.
El niño duerme mal anoche.	El niño durmió mal anoche.	Incorrect tense usage; the action is completed, so preterite is needed.
Nosotros duermimos mucho durante las vacaciones.	Nosotros dormimos mucho durante las vacaciones.	Incorrect stem change for ‘nosotros’ in the preterite.
Espero que dormes bien.	Espero que duermas bien.	Incorrect stem change in the present subjunctive.
Si yo dormir, estaría más descansado.	Si yo durmiera/durmiese, estaría más descansado.	Incorrect tense; should be imperfect subjunctive.
Dorme, niño.	Duerme, niño.	Incorrect imperative form; needs stem change.
No duermes aquí.	No duermas aquí.	Incorrect negative imperative form for ‘tú’.
Yo dormo mucho.	Yo duermo mucho.	Incorrect stem change in the present indicative first person singular.
Tú dormes tarde los fines de semana.	Tú duermes tarde los fines de semana.	Incorrect stem change in the present indicative second person singular.
Él dorme ocho horas.	Él duerme ocho horas.	Incorrect stem change in the present indicative third person singular.
Ellos dormen en la sala.	Ellos duermen en la sala.	Incorrect stem change in the present indicative third person plural.
Es necesario que dormemos temprano.	Es necesario que durmamos temprano.	Incorrect stem change in the present subjunctive first person plural.
¡Dorme!	¡Duerme!	Incorrect imperative form.
No dormes aquí.	No duermas aquí.	Incorrect negative imperative form.

This table highlights frequent errors made when using “dormir” and provides the correct forms with explanations. Pay close attention to the stem changes and tense usage to avoid these common mistakes.

Practice Exercises

Test your knowledge with these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of dormir.

Exercise 1: Present Indicative

1. Yo ________ (dormir) ocho horas cada noche.
2. Tú ________ (dormir) hasta tarde los fines de semana.
3. Él ________ (dormir) en el sofá a veces.
4. Nosotros ________ (dormir) en tiendas de campaña durante el verano.
5. Vosotros ________ (dormir) poco cuando tenéis exámenes.
6. Ellos ________ (dormir) la siesta después del almuerzo.
7. ¿________ (dormir) tú bien?
8. Mi gato ________ (dormir) todo el día.
9. Normalmente, yo ________ (dormir) con la ventana abierta.
10. ¿Cuántas horas ________ (dormir) ustedes?

Exercise 2: Preterite Indicative

1. Ayer yo ________ (dormir) hasta las diez.
2. Tú ________ (dormir) en un hotel de lujo el año pasado.
3. Ella ________ (dormir) profundamente después del viaje.
4. Nosotros ________ (dormir) en el coche durante el viaje.
5. Vosotros ________ (dormir) muy poco durante la fiesta.
6. Ellos ________ (dormir) toda la tarde después de la caminata.
7. ¿Cuánto ________ (dormir) tú anoche?
8. Yo ________ (dormir) como un bebé.
9. Nosotros ________ (dormir) mal en ese hotel.
10. ¿________ (dormir) ustedes bien?

Exercise 3: Subjunctive Mood

1. Espero que tú ________ (dormir) bien esta noche.
2. No creo que él ________ (dormir) lo suficiente.
3. Es importante que nosotros ________ (dormir) ocho horas.
4. Dudo que ellos ________ (dormir) en el suelo.
5. Ojalá que yo ________ (dormir) mejor pronto.
6. ¿Crees que ella ________ (dormir) ahora?
7. Es posible que nosotros no ________ (dormir) nada esta noche.
8. Quiero que vosotros ________ (dormir) bien antes del examen.
9. Es necesario que ellos ________ (dormir) temprano.
10. Me sorprende que ustedes ________ (dormir) tan poco.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, here are some more complex uses of dormir:

• Dormirse: This reflexive form means “to fall asleep.” It emphasizes the process of falling asleep rather than the state of being asleep. For example: Me duermo en la clase (I fall asleep in class).
• Dormir a alguien: This means “to lull someone to sleep” or “to put someone to sleep.” It’s often used in the context of putting a baby to sleep. For example: La madre duerme al bebé (The mother puts the baby to sleep).
• Figurative Uses: Dormir can be used figuratively to describe a state of inactivity or neglect. For example: El proyecto ha estado durmiendo durante meses (The project has been dormant for months).
• Idiomatic Expressions: Spanish has many idiomatic expressions involving dormir, such as dormir en los laureles (to rest on one’s laurels) and dormir con un ojo abierto (to sleep with one eye open).

Exploring these advanced topics will further enhance your understanding and usage of dormir in Spanish. Pay attention to the nuances of each expression and context to communicate effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Mastering the conjugation of dormir is a significant step towards fluency in Spanish. By understanding its stem changes, tenses, and moods, you can express a wide range of ideas related to sleep and rest. This comprehensive guide has provided you with the tools and knowledge you need to confidently use dormir in various contexts.

Continue practicing and exploring the nuances of dormir to further enhance your Spanish language skills. Remember to pay attention to the usage rules, avoid common mistakes, and explore advanced topics to communicate effectively and accurately. ¡Que duermas bien! (May you sleep well!)