Italian Phrase
Cerco di andare a letto entro le 23.
Meaning
The speaker is saying that they try to be in bed no later than 11 p.m. It conveys a personal habit or a goal related to a daily routine, often linked to health or a schedule.
When to use
Use this sentence when talking about your bedtime routine, setting a personal deadline, or explaining why you might be unavailable after a certain hour.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cercodiandarealettoentrole23
Cerco di + infinitive
The construction 'cerco di' means 'I try to' and is followed by an infinitive verb.
andare a letto
Literally 'to go to bed', this phrase is the standard way to say 'go to sleep' in Italian.
entro (tempo)
The preposition 'entro' expresses a deadline: 'by' or 'before' a certain time.
le 23
When telling time in the 24‑hour clock, the article 'le' is used before the hour (e.g., le 23 = 23:00, 11 p.m.).
🗨In Conversation
A che ora vai a dormire di solito?
What time do you usually go to sleep?
Cerco di andare a letto entro le 23.
I try to go to bed by 11 p.m.
✕Common Mistakes
Cerco andare a letto entro le 23.
The verb 'cercare' must be followed by 'di' before an infinitive.
Cerco di andare a letto entro le 23:00.
When using the 24‑hour clock, the article 'le' already implies the hour; adding ':00' is redundant in spoken Italian.
Cerco di andare a letto entro le 23 ore.
The word 'ore' is unnecessary; 'le 23' already specifies the hour.
↔Alternatives
Provo a dormire entro le 23.
I try to sleep by 11 p.m.
Mi sforzo di andare a letto entro le 23.
I make an effort to go to bed by 11 p.m.
Voglio andare a letto entro le 23.
I want to go to bed by 11 p.m.
Cultural Tip
In many parts of Italy dinner is served late (often after 8 p.m.), so a bedtime of 11 p.m. is considered normal, especially for adults. If you’re traveling in the south, you might notice people staying up even later during summer evenings.