Adormecer Conjugation in Spanish
adormecer means "to make sleepy" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the baby with a song, the children with a story, the patient with the medicine and his grandmother with the music. This page gives you the complete conjugation of adormecer in every tense and mood — present, preterite, imperfect, future, conditional, the four perfect tenses, both subjunctive tenses and the imperative — with all six persons, plus the gerund and the past participle. Every form below comes from VerbFlow's verified conjugation tables, so you can trust the accents and the spelling changes. adormecer is a spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb, and the notes under each tense explain exactly where it follows the rules and where it breaks them. To hear it in a real sentence: Cada día, yo adormezco al bebé con una canción. — "Every day, I make sleepy the baby with a song." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: adormecer
- English: to make sleepy
- Verb type: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb
- Gerund: adormeciendo
- Past participle: adormecido
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + adormecido)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of adormecer with all six persons. The gerund is adormeciendo and the past participle is adormecido.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | adormezco |
| tú | adormeces |
| él/ella/Ud. | adormece |
| nosotros/as | adormecemos |
| vosotros/as | adormecéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | adormecen |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | adormecí |
| tú | adormeciste |
| él/ella/Ud. | adormeció |
| nosotros/as | adormecimos |
| vosotros/as | adormecisteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | adormecieron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | adormecía |
| tú | adormecías |
| él/ella/Ud. | adormecía |
| nosotros/as | adormecíamos |
| vosotros/as | adormecíais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | adormecían |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | adormeceré |
| tú | adormecerás |
| él/ella/Ud. | adormecerá |
| nosotros/as | adormeceremos |
| vosotros/as | adormeceréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | adormecerán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | adormecería |
| tú | adormecerías |
| él/ella/Ud. | adormecería |
| nosotros/as | adormeceríamos |
| vosotros/as | adormeceríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | adormecerían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he adormecido |
| tú | has adormecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha adormecido |
| nosotros/as | hemos adormecido |
| vosotros/as | habéis adormecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han adormecido |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había adormecido |
| tú | habías adormecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | había adormecido |
| nosotros/as | habíamos adormecido |
| vosotros/as | habíais adormecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían adormecido |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré adormecido |
| tú | habrás adormecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá adormecido |
| nosotros/as | habremos adormecido |
| vosotros/as | habréis adormecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán adormecido |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría adormecido |
| tú | habrías adormecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría adormecido |
| nosotros/as | habríamos adormecido |
| vosotros/as | habríais adormecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían adormecido |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | adormezca |
| tú | adormezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | adormezca |
| nosotros/as | adormezcamos |
| vosotros/as | adormecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | adormezcan |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | adormeciera |
| tú | adormecieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | adormeciera |
| nosotros/as | adormeciéramos |
| vosotros/as | adormecierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | adormecieran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | adormece |
| él/ella/Ud. | adormezca |
| nosotros/as | adormezcamos |
| vosotros/as | adormeced |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | adormezcan |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | adormezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | adormezca |
| nosotros/as | adormezcamos |
| vosotros/as | adormecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | adormezcan |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about adormecer in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of adormecer is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo adormezco al bebé con una canción. — "Every day, I make sleepy the baby with a song." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is adormezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example adormezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Preterite (past)
The preterite (past) of adormecer is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo adormecí a los niños con un cuento. — "Yesterday, I made sleepy the children with a story." For adormecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem adormec- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of adormecer is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo adormecía al paciente con la medicina. — "In the past, I used to make sleepy the patient with the medicine." For adormecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem adormec- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Future
The future of adormecer is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros adormeceremos a su abuela con la música. — "Tomorrow, we will make sleepy his grandmother with the music." For adormecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem adormec- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Conditional
The conditional of adormecer is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú adormecerías al bebé con una canción. — "If you could, you would make sleepy the baby with a song." For adormecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem adormec- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Present perfect
The present perfect of adormecer is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he adormecido a los niños con un cuento. — "I have made sleepy the children with a story." For adormecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem adormec- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Pluperfect
The pluperfect of adormecer is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había adormecido al paciente con la medicina. — "Before the party, I had made sleepy the patient with the medicine." For adormecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem adormec- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Future perfect
The future perfect of adormecer is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré adormecido a su abuela con la música. — "By tomorrow, I will have made sleepy his grandmother with the music." For adormecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem adormec- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Conditional perfect
The conditional perfect of adormecer is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría adormecido al bebé con una canción. — "If I had been able to, I would have made sleepy the baby with a song." For adormecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem adormec- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Present subjunctive
The present subjunctive of adormecer is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él adormezca a los niños con un cuento. — "I hope that he/she makes sleepy the children with a story." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is adormezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example adormezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
The imperfect subjunctive (-ra) of adormecer is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él adormeciera al paciente con la medicina, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she made sleepy the patient with the medicine, everything would turn out better." For adormecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem adormec- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperative (affirmative)
The imperative (affirmative) of adormecer is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Adormece a su abuela con la música! — "Make sleepy his grandmother with the music!" Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is adormezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example adormezca. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of adormecer is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No adormezcas al bebé con una canción. — "Do not make sleepy the baby with a song." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is adormezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example adormezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: adormecer in real sentences
Ten sentences with adormecer, one for each main tense, each with its English translation. Read them aloud, then try changing the person and the complement to make your own versions.
- Cada día, yo adormezco al bebé con una canción. — "Every day, I make sleepy the baby with a song." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo adormecí a los niños con un cuento. — "Yesterday, I made sleepy the children with a story." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo adormecía al paciente con la medicina. — "In the past, I used to make sleepy the patient with the medicine." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros adormeceremos a su abuela con la música. — "Tomorrow, we will make sleepy his grandmother with the music." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú adormecerías al bebé con una canción. — "If you could, you would make sleepy the baby with a song." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he adormecido a los niños con un cuento. — "I have made sleepy the children with a story." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él adormezca al paciente con la medicina. — "I hope that he/she makes sleepy the patient with the medicine." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él adormeciera a su abuela con la música, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she made sleepy his grandmother with the music, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Adormece al bebé con una canción! — "Make sleepy the baby with a song!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy adormeciendo a los niños con un cuento. — "Now, I am making sleepy the children with a story." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with adormecer
The errors learners actually make with adormecer, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Adding a reflexive pronoun that does not belong
- Wrong: Yo me adormezco al bebé con una canción.
- Right: Yo adormezco al bebé con una canción.
- Why: adormecer is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo adormezco al bebé con una canción. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the zc spelling change
- Wrong: Yo adormeco al bebé con una canción.
- Right: Yo adormezco al bebé con una canción.
- Why: Verbs in -cer change c to zc before o and a. The yo form is adormezco, never adormeco, and the same change appears in the subjunctive (adormezca).
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo adormezco a los niños con un cuento.
- Right: Ayer, yo adormecí a los niños con un cuento.
- Why: Ayer means yesterday, so the action is finished and needs the preterite. The present tense is for habits and routines, not for yesterday: Ayer, yo adormecí a los niños con un cuento. — "Yesterday, I made sleepy the children with a story."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy adormecido al paciente con la medicina.
- Right: Estoy adormeciendo al paciente con la medicina.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund adormeciendo for the progressive. The participle adormecido goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he adormecido), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros adormece al bebé con una canción.
- Right: Nosotros adormecemos al bebé con una canción.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes adormecemos, while adormece belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: adormecer conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on adormecer. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of adormecer in the present tense?
- (a) adormeces
- (b) adormece
- (c) adormecemos
- (d) adormezco
Answer: (d) adormezco. The yo form is adormezco. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of adormecer in the present tense?
- (a) adormece
- (b) adormecemos
- (c) adormeces
- (d) adormezco
Answer: (c) adormeces. The tú form is adormeces. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of adormecer in the present tense?
- (a) adormecemos
- (b) adormece
- (c) adormezco
- (d) adormeces
Answer: (b) adormece. The él/ella form is adormece. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of adormecer in the present tense?
- (a) adormecemos
- (b) adormezco
- (c) adormeces
- (d) adormece
Answer: (a) adormecemos. The nosotros form is adormecemos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of adormecer in the present tense?
- (a) adormezco
- (b) adormeces
- (c) adormece
- (d) adormecen
Answer: (d) adormecen. The ellos/ellas form is adormecen. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of adormecer?
- (a) adormecido
- (b) adormezco
- (c) adormecer
- (d) adormeciendo
Answer: (d) adormeciendo. The gerund is adormeciendo, used for the progressive: estoy adormeciendo.
7. What is the past participle of adormecer?
- (a) adormecí
- (b) adormecer
- (c) adormecido
- (d) adormeciendo
Answer: (c) adormecido. The past participle is adormecido, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he adormecido.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ al bebé con una canción.
- (a) adormecemos
- (b) adormezco
- (c) adormeces
- (d) adormece
Answer: (b) adormezco. The sentence needs the yo form adormezco (Every day, I make sleepy the baby with a song.)
9. What is the yo form of adormecer in the preterite?
- (a) adormecí
- (b) adormeciste
- (c) adormeció
- (d) adormecimos
Answer: (a) adormecí. The yo preterite is adormecí. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ al paciente con la medicina.
- (a) adormezcamos
- (b) adormecáis
- (c) adormezca
- (d) adormezcas
Answer: (c) adormezca. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is adormezca.
Frequently asked questions about adormecer
Is adormecer regular?
Almost. adormecer is a spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb, so its endings are regular but its spelling changes in some forms: Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is adormezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example adormezca. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does adormecer mean, and when do I use it?
adormecer means "to make sleepy" in English. Use it when you talk about the baby with a song, the children with a story, the patient with the medicine and his grandmother with the music — for example: Yo adormezco al bebé con una canción. — "I make sleepy the baby with a song." It is a practical verb for everyday conversation, and it appears in all the tenses on this page.
How do you say it in a real sentence?
A natural sentence is: Yo adormezco al bebé con una canción. — "I make sleepy the baby with a song." Change the person using the table above, and change the complement to talk about your own life: the verb stays the same, only the ending changes.
Is there a reflexive form of adormecer?
No. adormecer is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo adormezco al bebé con una canción. — "I make sleepy the baby with a song." Adding me, te or se would change the meaning, so keep the verb plain unless you mean the reflexive partner.
When do I use the present tense instead of the preterite with adormecer?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo adormezco al bebé con una canción. — "I make sleepy the baby with a song." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo adormecí al bebé con una canción. — "Yesterday, I made sleepy the baby with a song." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.