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Lesson 84 of 238

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Free Spanish CourseLesson 84 of 238

I'm tired in Spanish

It's late, you're climbing the stairs, and your energy is disappearing fast.

In this lesson, you'll say you're tired or sleepy, explain that the day was long, and ask for a break.

You'll also learn a very Mexican way to say you can't be bothered, then close the day naturally.

By the end of this lesson

Say that you're tired, sleepy, unmotivated, or ready for a break.

  • Estoy cansadoI'm tired
  • Tengo sueñoI'm sleepy
  • Qué flojeraI can't be bothered
  • Necesito un descansoI need a break
  • Fue un día largoIt was a long day
  • Ya me voy a dormirI'm going to sleep

Scene — late on the stairs

It's late at Café Laurel, and Justin, Amanda, and Yako are reaching the stairs to their rooms.

Justin speaks English but has no job yet. Amanda is heading out to work early, while Yako is balanced on two chairs again.

Justin, Amanda, and Yako reach the staircase inside Café Laurel, looking worn out as they prepare to go to their rooms.

Learn — tired, sleepy, and done

These six chunks help you describe your energy and decide when it's time to stop.

Learn each one as a useful piece, not as a word-for-word puzzle.

  1. Justin pauses on the first stair, rubbing his shoulder and clearly saying that he is tired.

    Estoy cansado

    I'm tired

    When to use it: Say this when you feel physically tired.

    Justin uses cansado; a woman says cansada.

    Say it: es-TOY kan-SAH-doh

  2. Amanda leans against the stair rail with heavy eyelids and a yawn, clearly expressing that she is sleepy.

    Tengo sueño

    I'm sleepy

    When to use it: Say this when you feel ready to sleep.

    Learn Tengo sueño as one piece for feeling sleepy.

    Say it: TEN-goh SWEH-nyoh

  3. Yako slumps beside the stairs with an exaggerated reluctant shrug, expressing that he cannot be bothered.

    Qué flojera

    I can't be bothered

    When to use it: Say this casually when you don't feel like doing something.

    Qué flojera expresses low motivation, not physical tiredness.

    Say it: keh floh-HEH-rah

  4. Justin sits on a stair step with his elbows on his knees and palms open, clearly asking for a rest.

    Necesito un descanso

    I need a break

    When to use it: Say this when you need to stop and rest for a while.

    Descanso is a rest or break; un agrees with it.

    Say it: neh-seh-SEE-toh oon deh-SKAN-soh

  5. Amanda stands at the bottom of the stairs stretching both arms and looking back over a long, exhausting day.

    Fue un día largo

    It was a long day

    When to use it: Say this when a tiring day has come to an end.

    Fue means was here, describing the day as finished.

    Say it: fweh oon DEE-ah LAR-goh

  6. Yako turns toward the upstairs rooms wearing a nightcap and carrying a pillow, clearly announcing that he is going to sleep.

    Ya me voy a dormir

    I'm going to sleep

    When to use it: Say this when you're leaving or stopping because you'll sleep.

    Ya adds the idea that you're ready to do it now.

    Say it: yah meh voy ah dor-MEER

Story — one long day

Watch Justin describe the end of his long day on the stairs. Amanda and Yako respond naturally, and the highlighted lines are today's chunks.

Turn on Show English if you need it.

  1. It is late, and the stairwell is quiet except for slow footsteps.
  2. Amanda¿Cómo estás?How are you?
  3. JustinEstoy cansado. Fue un día largo.I'm tired. It was a long day.
  4. YakoTengo sueño.I'm sleepy.
  5. JustinYo también. Necesito un descanso.Me too. I need a break.
  6. AmandaMe tengo que ir. Trabajo temprano.I've got to go. I work early.
  7. YakoQué flojera subir otro piso.I can't be bothered to go up another floor.
  8. JustinSí, qué flojera.Yeah, I can't be bothered.
  9. AmandaBuenas noches, Justin.Good evening, Justin.
  10. JustinYa me voy a dormir.I'm going to sleep.

Practice — say how you feel

You'll listen, match meanings, choose replies, fill gaps, and rebuild lines from word chips.

The situations keep the differences clear, especially tired versus sleepy.

0 of 10 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    Spanish

    Estoy cansadoDrop the English here
    Qué flojeraDrop the English here
    Necesito un descansoDrop the English here
    Fue un día largoDrop the English here

    English

    Drag an English line onto its Spanish, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What do you say?

    Your body feels worn out after a long day, but you're not saying you are sleepy yet.

  4. Pick the reply

    Amanda says:

    ¿Cómo estás?

    How are you?

    And you reply with:

  5. Fill the gap

    I need a break

    Necesito un ____

  6. What does it mean?

    Ya me voy a dormir

  7. Put the chat in order

    1. AmandaWhat comes first?
    2. Justin…
    3. Amanda…
    4. Justin…

    Tap the line that comes next, or drag it into the chat.

  8. True or false?

    This line describes the day as long and finished.

  9. Which one doesn’t belong?

  10. Build the line

    I'm going to sleep

    Tap the words in order.

Say it — wind down

Now you're Justin on the stairs, ending a long day with Amanda and Yako.

Tap ▶ to hear each model line, then tap the microphone on your turns. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. Amanda¿Cómo estás?How are you?
  2. Justin (you)Say that you're tired.

    Estoy cansado

    I'm tired

0 of 3 said

Recap — what you can say now

SpanishEnglish
Estoy cansadoI'm tired
Tengo sueñoI'm sleepy
Qué flojeraI can't be bothered
Necesito un descansoI need a break
Fue un día largoIt was a long day
Ya me voy a dormirI'm going to sleep
Next: lesson 85Who I live with

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

Want to keep these tired-day chunks handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.

Review the cards when you feel tired, sleepy, or ready to call it a night.

Open Yak Cards