Tired
Use this to mean 'I'm sleepy.' In Spanish, being tired (physical exhaustion) is different from being sleepy (needing to sleep).
A stronger way to say 'I'm exhausted' or 'I'm worn out.'
This means 'I need to rest,' and it's a practical way to express that you're tired.
After work, I am always tired.
I walked a lot today. I am very tired. (spoken by a female)
It's ten at night and I'm sleepy.
It's a very long day. I need to rest a little.
The phrases 'Estoy cansado/a' and 'Tengo sueño' are standard and universally understood across all of Latin America.
'Estoy cansado/a' is the most common phrase. You might hear slang like 'estoy fundido,' but it's best to stick to the standard phrase as a learner.
'Estoy cansado/a' is standard. A very common slang term is 'estoy mamado/a,' but it can be considered a bit vulgar or too informal for many situations.
While 'estoy cansado/a' is perfectly normal, it's also very common to hear 'estoy hecho/a bolsa' to mean 'I'm exhausted.'
There is no significant difference. 'Estoy cansado/a' is the standard expression, just like in Latin America.
Using 'ser' instead of 'estar'. — Wrong: 'Soy cansado.' Right: 'Estoy cansado.' Being tired is a temporary state or feeling, so you must use the verb 'estar,' not 'ser.'
Forgetting to match the gender. — Wrong (for a woman): 'Estoy cansado.' Right: 'Estoy cansada.' Adjectives in Spanish, like 'cansado,' must change their ending to match the gender of the person. Use '-o' for masculine and '-a' for feminine.
Confusing 'cansado' (tired) with 'sueño' (sleepy). — Wrong: 'Estoy sueño.' Right: 'Tengo sueño.' To say you are sleepy, Spanish uses the verb 'tener' (to have) + 'sueño' (sleep). 'Estoy cansado' refers to physical or mental fatigue.
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