Portuguese · Body & Health

"I can't sleep" in Portuguese: não consigo dormir

não consigo dormir

Say it: nown kon-SEE-goo dor-MEERphrase/ˈnɐ̃w̃ kõ.ˈzi.ɡu doʁ.ˈmiʁ/

I can't sleep in Portuguese is não consigo dormir. Use it for insomnia, noisy neighbors, or pre-trip nerves.

3 a.m. text

Ainda acordadanão consigo dormir de jeito nenhum.
Still awake—I can't sleep at all.
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How to pronounce não consigo dormir

Say it

nown kon-SEE-goo dor-MEER

/ˈnɐ̃w̃ kõ.ˈzi.ɡu doʁ.ˈmiʁ/

nown kon-SEE-goo dor-MEER

"I can't sleep" in Portuguese: quick reference

PortugueseEnglish
não consigo dormirI can't sleep

Default.

não estou conseguindo dormirI haven't been able to sleep

Ongoing.

tô sem sonoI'm not sleepy

Related but different.

não pego no sonoI can't fall asleep

Falling asleep focus.

How to use não consigo dormir in real life

  1. 13 a.m. text

    Ainda acordadanão consigo dormir de jeito nenhum.

    Still awake—I can't sleep at all.

    De jeito nenhum = at all.

  2. 2Hotel complaint

    Com esse barulho, não consigo dormir.

    With this noise, I can't sleep.

    Noise cause.

  3. 3Before an exam

    Estou nervosa e não consigo dormir.

    I'm nervous and I can't sleep.

    Nerves.

Mistakes English speakers make with não consigo dormir

Incorrect: Não posso sleep.

Correct: Não consigo dormir.

Consigo + dormir is the set ability phrase.

Incorrect: Não posso dormir (when you mean insomnia)

Correct: Não consigo dormir.

Não posso can sound like not allowed; consigo = can't manage to.

Good to know

Friends may reply with toma um chá or conta carneirinhos jokingly. For real insomnia, Brazilians also talk about chá de camomila and desligar o celular.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Roommate whispering at night

  1. ChatPal

    Você ainda está com a luz acesa?

    Is your light still on?

  2. You

    Simnão consigo dormir.

    Yes—I can't sleep.

  3. ChatPal

    Quer que eu feche a janela?

    Want me to close the window?

  4. You

    Fecha. Mesmo assim não consigo dormir fácil.

    Close it. Even so I can't sleep easily.

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"I can't sleep" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "I can't sleep" in Portuguese

I couldn't sleep?

Não consegui dormir.

Fall asleep?

Não pego no sono.

Sleepy?

Estou com sono.

Good night?

Boa noite—tenta dormir.

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