Portuguese Phrase
Durmo à meia-noite.
Meaning
This phrase describes a habitual action regarding your sleep schedule. It features the irregular verb 'dormir' conjugated in the first-person singular present tense. The phrase is direct and commonly used to describe daily routines.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone asks about your sleeping habits or when you are explaining your daily schedule. It is appropriate for both formal and informal conversations about health and lifestyle.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Durmoàmeia-noite
Irregular Verb 'Dormir'
The 'o' in 'dormir' changes to 'u' in the first-person singular present tense, becoming 'durmo'.
The Crase (à)
When indicating a specific hour in Portuguese, we use the contraction 'à', which combines the preposition 'a' and the feminine article 'a'.
🗨In Conversation
A que horas você vai para a cama?
What time do you go to bed?
Geralmente, durmo à meia-noite.
Usually, I sleep at midnight.
✕Common Mistakes
Eu dormo em meia-noite.
Use the contraction 'à' for specific hours instead of the preposition 'em'.
Durmo a meia-noite.
The accent (crase) is required before feminine time expressions like 'meia-noite' to indicate the contraction of 'a' (preposition) and 'a' (article).
↔Alternatives
Vou dormir à meia-noite.
I go to sleep at midnight.
Costumo dormir à meia-noite.
I usually sleep at midnight.
Cultural Tip
In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, especially in larger cities like São Paulo or Lisbon, midnight is often considered a standard or even slightly early bedtime for adults. On weekends, social activities often start quite late, making midnight a peak time for being out rather than sleeping.