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"Entumecer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to numb", and "adormecer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to make sleepy". Learn more about the difference between "entumecer" and "adormecer" below.
entumecer(
ehn
-
too
-
meh
-
sehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to numb
El hombre que cayó al agua fue rescatado antes de que el helado mar le entumeciera las extremidades.The man overboard was rescued before the cold sea numbed his limbs.
entumecerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to go numb
Me quité el guante, y casi se me entumeció la mano del frió que hacía.I removed my glove, and my hand almost went numb from the cold.
Ya enciende la fogata. Se me están entumeciendo los dedos.Light the fire already. My fingers are going numb.
adormecer(
ah
-
dohr
-
meh
-
sehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to make sleepy
La película era tan aburrida que me adormeció.The movie was so boring it made me sleepy.
La larga charla del profesor estaba adormeciendo a sus estudiantes.The professor's long lecture was making his students sleepy.
b. to lull to sleep
Cuando era pequeña, mi mamá me adormecía en una mecedora.When I was little, my mom used to lull me to sleep in a rocking chair.
c. to send to sleep
La medicina para la gripa que el doctor le recetó a Lily la adormece.The medicine the doctor prescribed Lily for her cold sends her to sleep.
2. (to lull)
a. to calm
Nada de lo que le decían lograba adormecer la angustia que sentía Edith.Nothing anyone said could calm the anguish Edith was feeling.
3. (to deaden)
a. to numb
El viento helado le adormeció la cara a Leonardo.The freezing wind numbed Leonardo's face.
adormecerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to fall asleep
Traté de ver la película, pero me adormecía a cada rato.I tried to watch the movie, but I kept falling asleep all the time.
b. to go to sleep
Si me siento al sol después de almorzar, me adormeceré sin más.If I sit in the sun after lunch, I'll just to go to sleep.
c. to doze off
Siempre me adormezco en clase de historia porque no me interesa.I'm always dozing off in History class because I'm not interested in it.
d. to nod off
Te adormecías en la charla. ¿Es que no te interesa el tema?You were nodding off during the talk. Aren't you interested in the subject?
a. to go numb
Francis fué al médico para ver por qué se le hinchan y adormecen las manos.Francis went to the doctor to check why his hands swell up and go numb.
b. to go to sleep
Se me adormeció la pierna y casi me caigo al levantarme del sofá.My leg went to sleep and I almost fell when I got up off the sofa.
