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Spanish Phrase

¿Cuándo duermes?

/ˈkwan.do ˈdweɾ.mes/
Meaning"When do you sleep?"
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Meaning

Literally, 'When do you sleep?'. The question asks about the time or routine a person goes to bed or falls asleep. It can refer to a daily habit, a shift‑work schedule, or a one‑off plan.

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When to use

Use this phrase in informal or semi‑formal conversations when you want to know someone's bedtime, plan a night‑out, or coordinate schedules. It works well with friends, family, classmates, or coworkers who you know well enough to use the familiar 'tú' form.

✦Grammar Breakdown

¿Cuándoduermes?

1

¿Cuándo?

Interrogative adverb meaning 'when'. It always carries an accent to distinguish it from the conjunction 'cuando'.

2

duermes

Second‑person singular (tú) present indicative of the verb dormir. The stem changes from 'o' to 'ue' (dorm‑ > duerm‑).

3

Question marks

Spanish uses an opening (¿) and closing (?) question mark; both are required.

🗨In Conversation

A

¿Cuándo duermes?

When do you sleep?

Normalmente a las diez de la noche, pero a veces me quedo despierto hasta medianoche.

Usually at ten at night, but sometimes I stay up until midnight.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • ¿cuando duermes?

    Missing the accent on 'cuándo' changes it from a question to a conjunction.

  • ¿Cuándo duerme?

    Using the third‑person form 'duerme' addresses 'él/ella/usted', not 'tú'.

  • ¿Cuándo duermes tú?

    Adding 'tú' is redundant in most casual contexts; it can sound overly emphatic.

↔Alternatives

  • ¿A qué hora duermes?

    At what time do you sleep?

  • ¿A qué hora te acuestas?

    At what time do you go to bed?

  • ¿A qué hora te vas a dormir?

    At what time are you going to sleep?

es

Cultural Tip

In many Spanish‑speaking countries, especially in Spain, a short afternoon nap (la siesta) is traditional, but younger generations are moving away from it. Bedtimes can vary widely: in Mediterranean cultures people often eat dinner late (9‑10 p.m.) and go to bed around 11 p.m. or later. When asking about sleep habits, consider the regional context and whether you’re speaking to a child, a colleague, or a close friend – the level of formality may affect whether you use 'tú' or 'usted'.