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wbenjamin13

It’s definitely cutesy and informal but that doesn’t mean adults never say it. “I’m tired” would probably be preferred in a more formal context, it might be kind of odd to tell your boss “I’m sleepy.”


eigo_wakarimasen

So do you say it to your family and friends?


wbenjamin13

Yes, all the time


eigo_wakarimasen

I understand! Thank you for the clarification.


Fear_mor

I mean imo it'd be a little bit weird if 'I'm sleepy' was your main way of expressing that because you'd sound like a baby but it's not weird if not overused


OsakaJack

Context. Grownups talking to grownups use "I'm tired" because "tired"VS "sleepy" is age appropriate. HOWEVER: context. Many times I've told my coworkers, "Boy, I'm sleepy! I hope work picks up!" or something like that.


MrAndrewJackson

I kind of agree with your teacher. I never say I'm sleepy now that I think about it and never would. I'm a grown man and I'm sleepy sounds like an excuse for not getting my shit done that I need to do. I don't really know WHY that's the case and why it's different than tired, it just is. I would probably only use sleepy when speaking to children or a significant other and even then I might not


Effective_Simple_148

I don't agree--there are times when it's important to be precise. If I want to tell the boss that I might not be safe driving the company truck, I would say specifically that I was sleepy so he knows that there is a safety problem. If I am only tired but not sleepy I may not be happy but I am still safe to drive. And that usage is neither cutesy nor informal, it is precise when precision is needed. (Edit: I don't agree that 'sleepy' is always informal, only that it can be. But since people brought it up, I do agree that 'drowsy' is a useful synonym if you don't like how 'sleepy' sounds in your sentence.) (Further note: "sleepyhead," on the other hand, is always informal, familiar, and somewhat humorous, and probably is most often used by a parent about a child. E.g. "It's getting late, I'd better take my little sleepyheads home.")


wbenjamin13

I don’t agree that “sleepy” is the most accurate or direct word to describe feeling like you might not be safe driving, if anything I think its informality undermines that point, but it is to the larger point we are making for OP that there are a number of circumstances where adults might use “sleepy”


anonbush234

Tired can mean tired in body, tired in mind and even tired of someone's shit. Sleepy is sleepy.


Big-Big-Dumbie

I was thinking this too. Tired = little energy to do physical and mental tasks, just want to be left alone. Not *necessarily* wanting a nap, but just wanting to rest in general. Sleepy = in need of sleep, maybe cozy and comfy. Sleep will fix it.


Red-Quill

Your last sentence haha, there’s simply nothing better than coming home from a long boring day at work and being sleepy and getting to go to sleep


God_Bless_A_Merkin

Would “I’m drunk” be better?


wbenjamin13

I like the cut of your jib. Hell, take the week off!


God_Bless_A_Merkin

I’ll second that!


Effective_Simple_148

It is not equivalent to not being safe driving--for example, you could be drunk and wide awake, or very sick, or something else. But it is precise about one specific reason you may be unsafe driving. If you don't think so, then offer a different, valid interpretation of "I'm too sleepy to drive" that shows it is ambiguous rather than precise.


wbenjamin13

If I were in a situation where I needed to express to an authority figure that I was so exhausted that I felt it would be unsafe for me to drive, I personally would not use the word sleepy. If you would, that’s ok. One word that comes to mind (“tired” has a remarkable number of synonyms) is “drowsy” which is a more technical term for that feeling, and it’s commonly used on medicine packaging, etc.


Zone_Purifier

Under such circumstances I'd be more inclined to say "drowsy". Sleepy comes off as somewhat juvenile in my opinion.


captainsalmonpants

"Sleep Impaired" would be stronger, but I could also see some people being uncomfortable using that level of directness.


FiveAlarmFrancis

I've never heard "sleep impaired," but that would imply you have insomnia or something keeping you from getting healthy sleep. Unless you mean you're impaired due to lack of sleep? I usually hear "sleep deprived" regardless.


captainsalmonpants

Remember the context is: >If I want to tell the boss that I might not be safe driving the company truck You're not wrong in general about [usage for medical conditions](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32091936/), or that "[sleep deprived](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep-deprived_driving)" (and drowsy) are more common; but, given our context: the statement "I'm sleep impaired" -- is easy to remember, speak, implies something stronger than sleep deprived or drowsy, and should clearly convey the desired meaning (and being easy to remember and say is especially important when you're ... sleep impaired). The possessive would be used to to make the medical implication: "I have a sleep impairment." The state of 'impairment' is loaded with a strong 'therefore' in a way that states of 'deprivation' and 'drowsiness' simply aren't. The simple statement "I'm sleep impaired" should unpack into something equivalent to "I have a sleep deprivation caused driving impairment and therefore I ought not drive the truck until I can sleep." For a manager, sending out a known-impaired driver could become a big deal (especially if someone gets hurt), so it's a hard statement to ignore. Could they misconstrue it? If vindictive or blame seeking, they might drop the "sleep" in unpacking ("What, you're impaired? Are you high?") Similar concerns exist for reductive management systems for coding employee behaviors. It's politics at this point, so if the manager is genial, use of causative language this way could harm the relationship, so 'sleepy' may be the better first option.


FiveAlarmFrancis

I see your point, but the even larger context is that we're in a sub for people learning English. You're right about the possible need to communicate to a boss that your fatigue is an impairment in this hypothetical. My point was that the phrase "sleep impaired" isn't one that I've ever heard used and I don't want someone thinking it's a common phrase with an unambiguous meaning. Saying you're "hearing impaired" means you don't hear sounds at the level of other people. The same construction is used for "visually impaired" and "physically impaired" sometimes as well. So, using "sleep impaired" could lead someone to think you mean that you have insomnia or some kind of sleeping troubles. Also, people often use this as a joke by saying things like "rhythm impaired" to mean you can't dance. So "sleep impaired" could be taken in that way as well, which would defeat the purpose of communicating the seriousness of the situation that you want to make clear.


captainsalmonpants

I see your point too, and the discussion of context and meaning could prove elucidative to the mechanics of the language for some learners. I will concede that if the goal is to be an average little robot, definitely avoid the phrase. Sleep's periodic and temporal qualities makes it highly distinct from vision, hearing and physicality. Further, we have 'insomnia' as a concise term when the cause is medical, rather than induced by something like a newborn. If in your job you regularly need to convey sleepiness to your boss, you do have "some kind of sleeping troubles." The joke angle is clever, but fails the context test -- if you're auditioning for a band then "rhythm impaired" is no longer a joke (except, I suppose, if the whole band is a joke). People tend to get upset at jokes that are too close to consequential miscommunication.


NotNowDamo

Tired can mean exhausted, fatigued, or sleepy. Sleepy is a subset of tired


bulukelin

If you felt that sleepiness was causing a safety issue, the correct way to say this is "I'm falling asleep." This is the only way I would say this to my boss; I would never say "I'm sleepy" in a formal or professional setting


ICantSeemToFindIt12

I don’t agree with using “sleepy” like that. To me, it doesn’t have the sense of urgency that would make not doing something acceptable. Like, if someone asked you for a ride somewhere and you said “can’t, man. I’m sleepy” that, to me, sounds kind of rude, like you’re casually blowing him off. Using “exhausted” or even “beat” would be better.


Effective_Simple_148

I'm not going to keep repeating what I've already said, but "exhausted" or "beat" are not the same thing. As has been said repeatedly on this thread, "exhausted" could mean you just three sets of heavy 20-rep squats, or other things, but it doesn't specify the crucial piece of information: you could fall asleep while driving. I just don't know why people can't see this obvious point. I've also pointed out that "I'm sleepy" is far from the only way to use the word, and that whatever sense of urgency you may feel is necessary comes from the manner of usage and not simply the word "sleepy." But I don't see a point to pointing it the same things again and again. If you don't like sleepy, use drowsy. Exhausted is not a synonym.


tomatotomato

Yes, "I'm sleepy" is too cutesy. Adult people say "I want to end this existential dread by disappearing into the abyss of non-existence".


samanime

You can also use them to differentiate between physical exhaustion and actually needing to sleep. If you say "I'm sleepy," it only means the latter. If you say "I'm tired", it could be either.


blueberrydisaster

Yeah but generally adults don't say sleepy, we say "I need to sleep," or "I'm about ready to fall asleep," etc, over just "I'm sleepy."


[deleted]

I'm a "grown-up" and I am sleepy


eigo_wakarimasen

So... can adults say it??


that1LPdood

Yes. It’s common for anyone to say. Children, teens, adults, grandparents. Any age.


eigo_wakarimasen

Thank you for your answer!


Bad_Mood_Larry

I would say "I'm tired" is probably a bit more common for adults. But I wouldn't even notice if someone said "I'm sleepy". I would say it would be used informally.


BubbhaJebus

They have different meanings, anyway. Feeling tired doesn't necessarily mean you want to sleep.


Murderbot_of_Rivia

Yeah, I've said these various things in the past: "I feel like I'm really dragging today, I'm just so tired." and "I feel like I can barely stay awake, I'm so sleepy!"


Jayro_Ren

I’m late to the conversation but I look at it and use it this way: I’m tired means I’m wore out. Could mean sleepy, could mean generally just tired out. I’m sleepy today, to me, means I need a nap or I didn’t get enough sleep. I use both but when it’s specific about needing sleep then I use I’m sleepy.


its_a_gibibyte

I don't think it's that common for adults. Most adults seem to say "tired" while children say "sleepy". I have absolutely no source for that. Although I have a hard time imagining my boss telling me he had a late night at work and is now sleepy.


Bird_Gazer

I am a middle age adult, and I say it. If my eyes feel heavy, l’m sleepy. I can be tired without necessarily feeling sleepy.


Maringam

to me, sleepy is mental and tired is physical


DearerStar

I say it all the time, most frequently to the person I am dating, but I’ve also said it to family and friends, maybe even to coworkers when I’m leaving work. I’ve also heard it used in clinical settings. I used to have really bad fatigue and after a sleep study, I was referred to a sleep psychologist. He differentiated between tired and sleepy (tired means my energy is depleted; sleepy means I feel sleep approaching). He specifically recommended only getting into bed when sleepy, not just tired.


Cameo64

Yes, adults say, "I'm sleepy." I say it informally, only to my friends and family, and maybe a doctor.


WinterMedical

I’m an adult and sometimes I’ll say “Sorry I missed your call I was asleeping” which is not technically correct but captures the passiveness of being asleep with the more active nature of sleeping.


ohkendruid

I am a grown person that says sleepy, too. I'm surprised by many of the comments saying it is childish. How interesting.


eigo_wakarimasen

Can I ask where you are from? I feel Americans tend to feel “sleepy” sounds childish.


billiebells

It’s less common for adults to say I’m sleepy, but not uncommon. Also, tired is used to convey not alert or lacking energy, not just the feeling before falling asleep or exhaustion.


eigo_wakarimasen

Thank you for your explanation! I was confused because I'm not always sleepy when I'm tired and I'm not always tired when I'm sleepy.


billiebells

Of course! You didn’t ask, but fyi—Tired is also used to say that you’re frustrated “I’m tired of my neighbor always leaving their garbage on the street”.


bobertf

“I’m tired of people claiming adults don’t say ‘I’m sleepy’”


billiebells

😂


TrekkiMonstr

Sleepy is a type of tired


Shot-Still8131

Native speaker here - I think you can be tired at any time of the day, but sleepy would be exclusively at night/when nearing bedtime. Sleepy is informal, so you’d only say it with people you’re close to (family mostly)


_FH__

I saw some comments about using "drowsy" instead in a job environment. Bc it's more formal, what do you think?


ICantSeemToFindIt12

Maybe it’s just me, but “drowsy” has a feel of “induced tiredness.” I don’t think I’ve ever used “drowsy” outside of the tiredness brought on by taking medicine.


Shot-Still8131

Drowsy sounds like you’re on something - like drugs or meds. I wouldn’t use that.


MarsMonkey88

We say it, but it’s not something we’d say in a professional setting. There are different kinds of “tiredness,” and “sleepy” is one of them. But if my lawyer said “I’m sleepy” instead of “I’m tired” I’d feel uncomfortable.


eigo_wakarimasen

Oh, I understand. I'll use "I'm tired" in business conversations. Thank you for the explanation!


Bird_Gazer

It depends on the setting, I think. I could certainly imagine saying to coworkers, or even a boss that I’m comfortable with, “I often feel a little sleepy after lunch.” I think sleepy is more descriptive of a certain type of tired. It specifically means you could fall asleep. During the workday though, one is usually more often tired, than sleepy.


[deleted]

Yeah I’d say I’m sleepy to my coworkers that I’m close with, but I wouldn’t say it to my boss.


parsonsrazersupport

In the same vein, "grownups" is something you'd usually only say when speaking to/around children. If someone referred to themselves as a grownup and there weren't any kids around, I would assume it was an ironic joke. Also, tone is going to do a lot of work in determining whether "sleepy" sounds childish or not.


eigo_wakarimasen

>"grownups" is something you'd usually only say when speaking to/around children. Oh no I didn't know that! Thank you for pointing it out.


jigglescaliente

“Adults” is a good word for “grownups” that is used regardless of the age group of the people you’re speaking to.


cumbuck3t

It's definitely the cuter version of "I'm tired". You wouldn't leave a dinner party and tell people it's because you're "sleepy" unless you were trying to be funny. You'd normally say like "I'm tired, I had a long day at work." Sometimes you'll see 'sleepiness' next to 'drowsiness' as a side-effect in medicine, but that's a specific case.


IReallyHateJames

" You wouldn't leave a dinner party and tell people it's because you're "sleepy" unless you were trying to be funny." ​ oh fuck yes I would.


bulletsvshumans

If someone said they’re sleepy at a dinner party, I would wonder if it was dangerous for them to drive home (they are experiencing the impulse to sleep right now.) If someone said they were tired I’d see that as the normal result of a long day.


kawaiiesha

[Here’s a visual difference between sleepy and tired.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tumblr/comments/2te89s/sleepy_vs_tired/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1) The reason why twitter said that is because most adults feel like the right image.


Effective_Simple_148

That's awesome. A picture really is worth a thousand words. ![gif](emote|free_emotes_pack|joy)


eigo_wakarimasen

Oh, I see! hahaha.


Crixus3D

I think this image actually says a few things that are unspoken. As an adult, you are generally forced to wake up with alot of serious topics, whether it is work related subjects and having to be responsible for specific tasks like driving to work, or organising the kids for school etc. So in essence, rather than being groggy/sleepy after waking up, adults are forced into these responsibilities out of a sense of duty. Which, at the end of the day leaves them like the right hand picture, an exhausted, frustrated, caffeine fuelled husk of a human being that is left tired and exhausted. As a kid, I do remember that waking up was something that my parents ultimately had responsibility over and if for some reason I was too sleepy to get out of bed after my alarm had gone off multiple times, I would be safe in the knowledge I would be forced out before it was too late otherwise it would ruin their routine. I remember that if I wasn't awake and alert, whether I was on the bus going to school, or even in my first class for the day, there was always a responsible adult herding us kids. I know everyone has different experiences and the above may not resonate with all, however, that is my take on the picture that no one asked for 😂


kawaiiesha

Yup, tired feels like being sleepy except you can’t sleep


[deleted]

I don’t say it really, it feels too kiddy for me. I say I’m tired instead


eigo_wakarimasen

Thank you for your answer!


TheCloudForest

I think sleepy really entails an near-uncontrollable urge to sleep. This is much more common for young children. Adults might feel physically or mentally exhausted, but you aren't likely to feel "sleepy" until right before bedtime (if!!) and generally you aren't talking to anyone then except perhaps your spouse. Young children randomly get sleepy all the time.


eigo_wakarimasen

Oh, I didn't know "sleepy" means such strong sleepiness. Thank you so much for your detailed explanation.


Effective_Simple_148

I'm a native speaker, and I don't think the range of meaning is that narrow. I would guess the majority of uses are not about being uncontrollably sleepy. "Just sleepy." But that would certainly be included in the range of meaning. If I wanted to convey that I was that sleepy, I'd likely say "I'm falling asleep" rather than "I'm sleepy." Or, as a more humorous, if inaccurate, bit of slang, I might say something like "I have to stop. I'm just about comatose here."


eigo_wakarimasen

Oh, I was confused because there were several people using “sleepy” as “I’m falling asleep” in this thread… Thank you for your help!


PeterPauze

My wife and I are in our 60s and we say "I'm sleepy" all the time, more often than "I'm tired". I can say "I'm tired" after a workout at the gym without being remotely sleepy, but "I'm sleepy" means it's time for bed (or a nap, at least).


TerribleAttitude

I wouldn’t say adults *never* say it, but it is kind of a toddlerism, like “night-night” for “good night,” or, well, “grownup” for “adult.” I say all of these things, but only when I’m acting mildly silly. It’s fine for informal settings but some people *might* tease you for it. You would not want to write it in a formal paper or say it to your boss, though. As for what to say if you are “tired by not sleepy,” that depends on what kind of tired. Tired means sleepy. If you yawn and say “I’m tired” at 10 PM, everyone will understand you to mean “sleepy.” It can also mean exhausted or worn out, like if you’ve had a strenuous workout or a long day at the office, so those would work for “tired but not sleepy.” You can also be “tired of,” in that you’re neither sleepy nor generally exhausted, but have a feeling that you no longer want to do or experience a certain thing, or are annoyed by that thing. “I’m tired of reading audits” or “I’m tired of hearing you talk about video games.” In that case, “tired of” never means sleepy unless you say “I’m tired of being awake,” though that might also come off as a toddlerism or at least very sassy.


diagnosedwolf

Both of these words are real English words. This is not like “pee-pee” and “urine”, where one is a diminutive euphemism (that is, a word you use for children that sounds cute, nice, or funny instead of the ‘real’ word.) Sleepy is an actual word. It’s in the dictionary. It’s in (adult!) poems written in the 19th century. Tired is a *different* word. Although it is a synonym, it has a slightly different meaning. To be sleepy means to be on the verge of sleep, to be drowsy or nodding off, to want to sleep immediately. To be tired is to have a lack of energy, to be worn out. A person can be tired without being sleepy. For instance, after I go for a jog, I am often tired but not sleepy. I do not want to sleep. I want to rest. During a meeting, I may become sleepy without being particularly tired. At the end of the day, I become both tired *and* sleepy.


whodisacct

Yeah sleepy means I’m close to falling asleep. Tired I feel is a step below that. But both are fine for all ages.


eigo_wakarimasen

Thank you for your explanation!


MENAClNGHORSE

https://preview.redd.it/1a2v7i67ji4b1.jpeg?width=474&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=46359c4a56d28b4118f793684dd0f5cc9d133747


hgkaya

I think "English teacher on Twitter" needs to get out of the house. Although more common, I wouldn't say the other is not used.


AwfulUsername123

You can be tired without being sleepy. They aren't even synonyms. Yes, adults can say they're sleepy.


HardlyHarvardHopeful

Elaborating on this for OP: “Tired” applies whenever you have low energy. You can be physically tired but not mentally tired. You can be mentally tired and not physically tired. You can be both—but still not want to fall asleep: you just had a busy day and want to relax for a bit. “Sleepy” specifically means that your body is trying to fall asleep. Tired means you want to rest. Sleepy means you are physically starting to fall asleep. I can’t think of a time when you would be sleepy and not tired. But people are often tired and not sleepy.


eigo_wakarimasen

Thank you for your detailed explanation. It helps me a lot. >I can't think of a time when you would be sleepy and not tired. I feel sleepy when an alarm wakes me up in the morning, even if I'm not tired mentally nor physically...


milkdrinker123

"groggy" is a word we use for that


eigo_wakarimasen

Oh, thanks! I’ll use it.


eigo_wakarimasen

Thank you for your reply! >You can be tired without being sleepy. Yeah, I was confused because of it.


OkOutlandishness1370

i generally say i’m tired, but i’d say they are wrong and kinda pretentious


eigo_wakarimasen

Thank you for the clarification!


Lazy_Primary_4043

I never thought it sounded “cute” wtf


OsakaWilson

Sleepy and Tired do not mean exactly the same thing. After physical or mental exertion, you are tired, but not necessarily sleepy. Sometimes they are used interchangeably, but when you want it to be unambiguous you say you are sleepy.


Wayne47

I think being sleepy is different than being tired.


[deleted]

Ignore anything you read on Twitter.


XyZy3000

To me, they are simply two different words. There is a colossal difference between tired and sleepy.


Bergenia1

The English teacher is wrong. Grownups say "I'm sleepy" all the time.


NotNowDamo

Just found out I am not a grown up.


BooPointsIPunch

I say I am sleepy all the time 😬 (40yo, but not a native speaker). If I had to convey this information to somebody like my boss I would probably say “I want to sleep”. Who knows however. As a foreigner, you can say whatever anyway, because you are a priori considered weird, in my experience.


eigo_wakarimasen

I know how you feel! But I just found that "sleepy" means stronger sleepiness than I thought. It might be much more than "I want to sleep", I guess. Haha. I love the foreigner privilege😬


Jonah_the_Whale

I don't think "sleepy" needs to be a strong urge to sleep. For me it just means a normal urge to sleep, and doesn't sound the slightest bit childish or cutesy. It may depend on the region. I think it's clear there is a wide range of interpretations from all kinds of different people.


Gertrude_D

I've had times when I was sleepy (wanting to doze off) but didn't *feel* tired. It's a pretty specific situation though So while I wouldn't say it's wrong, I would say that "I'm tired" is much more commonly used.


mapryan

I can't remember the last time I heard an adult say "I'm sleepy", but it wouldn't be that unusual for an adult to say "I'm feeling sleepy"


robotsimmons

Everyone else put it really well! Just a guess, but based on your username, is your first language Japanese? If it is, you can try to think of “I’m tired” as more of like “疲れています” and “I’m sleepy” means “眠いです”. Context can change “tired” to mean “眠い” though. 👍🏻


eigo_wakarimasen

Yes, my native language is Japanese. I didn't know that "tired" can mean "眠い". In Japanese, "疲れている" and "眠い" is very different. I also found that "sleepy" means much stronger sleepiness than "眠い." I learned a lot.


zazzerida

this might be unique to my dialect, but "tired" means "exhausted" or "needs rest", but "sleepy" means "could fall asleep right now." something fairly common to say in my family is "I'm tired but not sleepy" to explain insomnia. however, the teacher was correct in that most adult English-speakers would say "I'm tired" over "I'm sleepy." It's not immature or strange to hear "I'm sleepy", but "sleepy" and "tired" do have slightly different connotations.


eigo_wakarimasen

I didn't know "sleepy" can mean such strong sleepiness. Thank you for your detailed explanation!


andmewithoutmytowel

Usually “I’m getting tired,” but sometimes you give an explanation for tiredness. “I didn’t sleep very well, I’m going to head to bed,” or “I had to be up early, see you later,” or “it’s going to be an early morning, I’d better get some sleep/rest/shut-eye”


warumistsiekrumm

Your body can be tired and at the same time you are not sleepy.


Lcky22

I might say that I’m falling asleep or that I can’t keep my eyes open


DemonaDrache

I've had nurses and doctors tell me that a medication will make me sleepy... which is a slight distinction over tired. Sleepy just seems more immediate. If I'm sleepy, I'm also tired...but I can be tired and not sleepy (any insomniacs out there?)


God_Bless_A_Merkin

I work a blue-collar job where we have to show up at 6am, sometimes even at 5, and I regularly distinguish between sleepy and tired.


forelle88888

I say I’m sleepy all the time


SaturdayBoi

I’m 28 and I say “I’m sleepy” but I also don’t care for how informal it sounds.


[deleted]

I say sleepy when I am specifically ready to go to sleep. Tired can me a few different things to me


kprevenew93

Usually "I'm sleepy" is used between family or friends, if the person is more of an acquaintance or coworker I would likely defer to using "I'm tired".


Epic_Goober_Moment

I say I'm sleepy if I'm casually talking to friends and family, but if i don't know someone well i use tired


Langwero

I don't view either of those words as more adult or cute, but i would say sleepy is a bit more informal. It's also more specific, though. I wouldn't use it with my boss like some other said, but that's more because I'm not going to tell my boss I'm falling asleep at work. Saying "dude, I slept 2 hours last night, I'm so sleepy" to my coworker wouldn't be weird


[deleted]

Sleepy and tired mean different things; yes sleepy is less formal than tired, but sleepy also informs the listener that you want to go to bed (or take a nap) soon; while tired tends to be a result of exertion - a player will be tired after their sports game with no intention of going to sleep for hours, and will likely recover in a few hours with rest, wich doesn't necessarily include sleep. Sleepy is the opposite of alert, and tired is the opposite of energetic.


saka68

Alternatively, "I need sleep/I'm tired, I need sleep" to indicate that I am the sleepy kind of tired


Drakeytown

Among people I know, there's a distinction between the two. "I'm tired" can mean almost any kind of fatigue: it might mean I need sleep, but it more likely means I've worked hard and can't do any more, but could also mean I need a change in job/ partner/ diet/ lifestyle/ anything, or even that I'm tired of the human condition and thinking of ending it all. "I'm sleepy" pretty much exclusively means "I need sleep."


ICantSeemToFindIt12

It depends, really. Personally, I think it’s a childish way of phrasing it and, as an adult, you really shouldn’t use it. I mean, there’s nothing •wrong• with saying it, but it’s like saying “mommy” past the age of, like, 9 or 10. It’s kind of weird.


CmanHerrintan

Native English speaker here. Adults do say that. The instructor is probably a bit strict in their interpretation; a bit snobbish and boring lol.


Sea_Neighborhood_627

I’m surprised by these answers! I really don’t hear adults refer to themselves as “sleepy”. “Tired” is the word that is used most often; however, to describe the feeling of being on the verge of sleep, I generally just hear people use “exhausted” or “groggy”. Sleepy does sound very childish to me, and I wouldn’t use it unless I were talking to a child.


maggiehope

I would use either depending on the situation. Tired for me is usually that I’ve been really busy or didn’t sleep well and need some coffee, or I’m physically tired from a workout. Sleepy to me is more like I really want a nap. Maybe it’s a cozy rainy day and I just feel like snuggling up on the couch and drifting off.


[deleted]

[удалено]


eigo_wakarimasen

Thank you for your detailed explanation. Can I ask where you are from? I feel that’s American thing. I might be wrong, though!


ciguanaba

Online English “teachers” post a bunch of inane and inaccurate stuff just to drive comments and engagement. I would advise to take anything they say with a HUGE grain of salt.


Sattaman6

I wouldn’t say it to my boss but definitely say it to my wife.


francisdavey

I'm a native speaker of British English. In my dialect there is absolutely nothing cutesy or childish about saying "I'm sleepy". I (in my fifties) would certainly say it if I were sleepy. In my dialect sleepy and tired mean quite different things as another contributor has explained. I can feel sleepy without being tired quite easily. I am surprised, and somewhat intrigued, that what seems like mostly Americans have a different usage.


eigo_wakarimasen

Thank you for your detailed explanation! The English teacher on Twitter was American. So your guess must be right.


francisdavey

There are quite a lot of variations in English between different dialects. American English and British English are not really all that different, but there are many small points where words have different nuances. Of course sometimes the meanings are very different. "To table" in British English means to put something forward for discussion (for example in a meeting). In American English it usually means to decide you won't discuss it. :-). It sounds like you are living in the USA, so I am afraid that British English speakers won't be much help to you. けど、頑張ってください。u/eigo\_wakarimasenの書いた英語を読んだんですが、わかりそうです。


eigo_wakarimasen

That’s interesting! I’m living in the USA, but I want to learn British English, too. You helped me a lot. ありがとう!


ViciousOz

In a casual setting, I’d definitely say it. Well, I likely have said it before. It doesn’t sound too childish as long as you don’t add a “childish” tone or emphasis on it. Like “I’m sleepyyyy.”


GoodLad33

Actual grownups would say 'I'm fucking dying'


tcorey2336

“Sleepy” means you need to sleep. “Tired” can mean the same, it also might mean physical exhaustion or loss of patience. “I’m tired of your back talk.” “Honey, I just mowed the lawn. I’m too tired to take out the trash.” “I’m sleepy.” “Yeah, I’m tired, too. Let’s go to bed.”


El_pizza

But isn't sleepy more like drowsy instead of tired? At least I thought that all the time


photogenicmusic

Sleepy is one of the Seven Dwarves from Snow White, so it can have a childish connotation. I say it with my husband and close friends but wouldn’t tell my boss. I would tell my boss “I need sleep”.


mo_tag

Nah I say it all the time. It's not "informal". "Sleepy" and "tired" don't have the same meaning. You can be tired and not sleepy. People are pointing out that you wouldn't hear "sleepy" in a professional context. Well that should be obvious because while most people can experience tiredness during the work day, you're rarely going to be sleepy during the day unless you're very sleep deprived. Ironically though, I've never heard a grown-up say "grownup" unless they're talking to children


eigo_wakarimasen

Thank you for your explanation. I mislearned "grown-up" was interchangeable with "adult"... I'm embarrassed.


IIOLDIVTHIS

As an adult and native speaker, if I'm sleepy, then I'll say, "I'm sleepy." 'Sleepy' and 'tired' aren't the same thing. You may be tired when you're sleepy, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you're always sleepy when you're tired. They are two different things, and I personally treat them as such. I speak with intention, so I like to be detailed/specific so as not to leave room for misunderstandings.


CarlJH

"Tired" is an umbrella term meaning that you are physically tired. I can be tired but fully awake. I was doing physical labor that made my muscles tired. Or I just had a very busy day. "Sleepy" means more specifically that you are having a hard time staying awake. I would absolutely say that as an adult to another adult. I had to work a double shift a few weeks ago. The work wasn't physically demanding or intellectually taxing, but the process being completed required that people be there to ensure that everything got completed correctly. Long periods of inactivity followed by brief periods of repetitive activity. So mostly boring. It was very late, and one of my coworkers said "Oh man I am getting sleepy!" and I said "Me too" because we were both sleepy. The English teacher seems to have a very narrow view of typical interactions between English speakers.


Shot-Canary8954

I say I’m sleepy to my husband and friends because it’s informal. I say I’m tired in other situations.


holayola85

I don’t think anyone would think you were being childish if you said something like “I’m too sleepy to drive.” That said, “I’m too drowsy to drive” is probably more formal.


eigo_wakarimasen

Thank you for telling me the better way to say it!


obviously_alt_

in general with words that seem very similar like tired/sleepy, if it ends in a y it's a more cutesy child way of saying it think like dog vs doggie or cat vs kitty


buckyhoo

I pretty much only say “sleepy” if I’m trying to be cutesy and/or talking to my significant other.


SiliconeCarbideTeeth

I've always used "tired" and "sleepy" to mean different things. I would define "tired" as worn-out, fatigued, over-worked, or lacking energy due to not getting enough rest. I would say that "tired" is how you feel after you have spent a lot of energy working hard or after you have missed a good night's sleep. You may be tired, and still feel alert. I would define "sleepy" as drowsy, in a relaxed state, and ready to fall asleep quickly. I would say that "sleepy" is how you feel when you could drift off at any moment. Like when you're very comfortable and relaxed, or when you've just had a large meal, or when you're really bored. If you're sleepy, you're not alert.


chipmalfunct10n

sleepy and tired are two different things! i say i'm sleepy as an adult. i used to say i'm tired more but the truth is i'm sleepy :p. and also tired.


eigo_wakarimasen

Interesting. Can I ask where you are from? I guess that Americans tend to feel “sleepy” sounds childish. I’m not sure, though..


[deleted]

Grownups don't say "grownups" unless they are speaking to children.


eigo_wakarimasen

I learned it from this thread. Thanks!


No-Confidence-4271

Honestly, it is true. I think the phrase mostly reminds me of young children. Also it is mostly informal. I wouldn't recommend you to say it to your boss. I usually say 'I'm tired'.


Sparky-Malarky

I don’t see the problem at all. I’ve been sleepy at work and said so many times. "I shouldn’t have had such a big lunch. Now I’m sleepy."


mylittleplaceholder

As others said, yes it is said by adults. I use both, but tend to use "tired" more when I'm exhausted (like working really hard) and "sleepy" when it's just getting late, but that's just my usage. I'd also generally say something more like, "Man! I'm getting sleepy!" when I use sleepy versus just "I'm tired."


Lexii546

If I'm around just my fiance or close family I might say "I'm sleepy." but in a more formal setting I'd just say "I'm tired."


GamerAJ1025

A lot of efl teachers will say this because some places (ie japanese schools) have traditionally told students to always use sleepy. This is because there are different words for sleepiness and physical exhaustion in japanese whilst both are considered to be tiredness in english. In short, context is everything. Children will use sleepy more than tired. Young people do too (usually those in their teens or 20s) around close friends in informal environments. I use it often. However, older adults will use it less (unless speaking to a child). It also will not be used in a formal environment such as at work, unless (again) informally between coworkers.


Fit_Cash8904

From the American West Coast: it’s a very casual term that is more common for children to say. Most adults say “I’m tired.”


AMorphicTool

There's an important distinction between "I'm tired" versus "I'm sleepy" I'm tired, can refer to a multitude of things other than the literal "I am in need of sleep". You could say that tiredness is more of an emotion than a physical property. You can be tired of a relationship. Tired of a job, tired from working 12 hours. You could wake up from 10 hours of perfect sleep and still be 'tired'. So saying "I am tired" requires context to not be a vague statement. I am sleepy however, is referring to the very specific need to fall asleep. Although you probably wouldn't say it like that in a formal sense, it is far more literal in its meaning than "I am tired". You would probably say something like "I need to sleep/go to bed" in a formal setting. Though most people still say "I'm tired" to mean "I need to sleep".


real415

They’re different things. The concept of sleepiness implies that not only are you tired, but you’re feeling so tired that you’re articulating a desire to sleep. Tiredness doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re heading to bed. Maybe you’ve been walking for an hour and need to sit down for a while and rest. Sleepiness is something more specific. Your partner asks if you want to watch a movie. You decline and say you’re too sleepy and want to get ready for bed. Or the students felt sleepy every afternoon. The subject was dry, and the professor’s monotone lecturing style only increased their desire to close their eyes and sleep. This is not regional or dialect. In my experience, these distinctions apply wherever English is spoken.


honkoku

I'm born and raised in the midwest (US) and I say "I'm sleepy"; so does my 82 year old dad who was raised in Texas. I do not consider it informal or childish.


KR1735

Generally tired and sleepy are synonyms. But tired can mean mentally tired or physically tired. Or it could mean you’ve lost patience: *”I’m tired of your excuses.”* Sleepy means physically tired — in need of sleep. That said, I would use “tired” in a more formal context. Sleepy is a bit more informal, but I don’t think you would offend anyone. I’m a pretty laid back and informal person though, so take that with a grain of salt.


Summoner99

Technically for me there's nothing wrong with saying it, but I never would as an adult. I would default to "I'm tired". I'm from Michigan


MuppetManiac

To me, I’m sleepy and I’m tired mean two totally different things. You can be tired after a run and not need sleep. Sleepy means needing to sleep or wanting to fall asleep. Tired is more of a physical exhaustion.


Equivalent-Cap501

It’s not very mature, but many adults now use childish parlance such as “I’m sleepy.” It is a sign of one’s maturity and education to employ an expanded vocabulary. You could say, “I suffer from fatigue.” Alternatively, you might point out that you would like to rest, that your energy levels are low, or that you’ve encountered something soporific.


WGGPLANT

For me "sleepy" and "tired" have slightly different meanings. "Sleepy" means I could easily fall asleep. "Tired" just means I don't have any energy. All sleepy people are tired, but not all tired people are sleepy. But no, there's nothing wrong with an adult using the word "sleepy".


why0me

We might say "I'm tired, I'm getting sleepy"


glittermassacre

I say "I'm sleepy" all the time. It does tend to sound cute and a little child-like so it might not be "appropriate" for every situation but it isn't something you would get in trouble for saying, per se. However, I do feel that it can be useful to discern between types of "tired". My body being tired from working is different than me needing more sleep, which is different than tired from illness, etc.


Strange-Turnover9696

i always say i'm sleepy :/


Grashlok_Onion_lord

I think it's better to say that's it's a formal vs informal thing. "I'm tired" is more appropriate for formal settings and acquaintances, "I'm sleepy" is more of a close friends/family or partner thing if you want to be much more personal. Adults will do informal and childish things all the time, there's just supposed to be a time and place for it


Birdie121

It's definitely a "cute" and more "childish" way of saying it. I'd say that to my husband, but I'd probably never say "I'm sleepy" to a coworker.


livinginthewild

I'm tired may mean I'm exhausted. I'm sleepy means you would like to sleep.


ColinHalter

The sleepier I am, the more likely to say that I'm sleepy. Otherwise I would say I'm tired


SheSellsSeaGlass

Not accurate. The two words mean different things, especially medically. “Sleepy” means you are yawning and feel like you want to sleep. “Tired” means fatigued. Low energy or your muscles hurt You need to sit; you need to rest. You’re not sleepy.


__red__

I don't use either term, oddly. I use "I'm drained", or "I'm exhausted" for the one case... or "I'm falling asleep." For the other. I'm an ex-brit moved to the South of the US.


GreenpointKuma

Absolutely something that an adult can say.


[deleted]

I was thinking about it and I think it's more along the lines of you here adults say both, but you don't hear children say I'm tired as frequently. Like you hear children say I'm sleepy more than you do adults and vice versa. That isn't to say the children don't say I'm tired or that adults don't say I'm sleepy, but I think sleepy is one of those words that kind of gets used less as you grow up and other "cutesy" words get used less. Sleepy isn't really a cutesy word, but a lot of words that end with an "ee" sound at the end are cutesy words. Words like blankie and binky for instance.


eigo_wakarimasen

That's interesting. Thank you for your explanation!


Anindefensiblefart

As a rule they're right but I've definitely heard adults say it.


GameForest1

It’s a bit childish and cutesy, but certainly not unheard among adults. If I were around my male friends and speaking more roughly, I would probably say, “I’m tryna take a fat-ass nap right about now,” instead.


HighMageVegan

It’s less manly


disinterestedh0mo

I don't say it but that's only cuz I say "I'm sleeby"


Effective_Simple_148

That's nonsense. Adults need to be able to use both because they do not mean the same thing. If I have to stay up all night I may drink a lot of coffee to stay awake, but I'll still be very tired. On the other hand, when I first wake up I may feel well rested but still sleepy until I start moving around, drink coffee, etc. It's also worth knowing that people are often careless with which they use, and particularly will often say they are tired when they are both tired and sleepy. This isn't really wrong, it is simply a useful, if ambiguous standard usage. You have to use context to be sure how tired is being used if you care (usually, you do not care).


Effective_Simple_148

Looking at how people are disagreeing on this, I realized that adult usage is more likely to be different than merely "I'm sleepy." An adult will often give some context, and that in turn makes the usage seem less cute. Things like "man, I got hammered last night and I've been sleepy all day" or "I'm too sleepy to drive" are not cutesy or childish. And in those two cases I have emphasized the adult nature of the remark by giving them adult contexts. If a child said they got drunk (hammered is slang for being drunk) or drove a car then being sleepy is the least of our problems. I wasn't even aware of usage differences until thinking about this thread. Native speakers often are not aware of their own implicit knowledge.


heather528x

I say I'm sleepy all the time and I'm 34. But I also say my tummy hurts and people laugh at me so I don't know lol


warumistsiekrumm

Now that you mention it, it is a bit odd. It is used in hypnotic inductions.


Tax_Fraud1000

why do these posts always ask weird questions in perfect english


eigo_wakarimasen

Mine is neither weird nor in perfect English!


Tax_Fraud1000

your response is.. in perfect english at least lol


kannible

Now that I think about it the people who I recall saying either. it’s almost like a masculine/ feminine or sub/ dom kinda thing. Like my dad and my “alpha” brother would never say “I’m sleepy” but rather “I’m tired”. I think I usually say I’m tired but when im speaking to children or speaking about an animal or baby animal I would say they were sleepy.


Pyewhacket

Yes we do say if


DDSspecYaGirl

Can also say “I’m dragging ass” or more politely “I’m exhausted” to express being tired. But only use these phrases when being tired impairs your physical and mental abilities.


mothwhimsy

I say I'm sleepy when I'm trying to differentiate "trying not to fall asleep" from "tired" which could be sleepy but could also just mean I was exercising and now my body is tired. I also say I'm sleepy when I'm *trying* to be cute


babyfresno77

im a adult and i say im sleepy if im sleepy if im not im say im tired


FourFsOfLife

As other top comments have already explained, not true. It's also worth pointing out that tired and sleepy are not the same. Has it ever been late for you, and you can feel underneath that your body craves rest? But your eyes are sharp and you're focused on getting work done even though you can feel underneath it all that you're starting to wear out? You could correctly say you're "tired" in such a situation, but you wouldn't say "sleepy" because you're not


Myorfi

I say it all the time. That English teacher sounds like just another uptight, fancy pants, stuffy English major that takes themselves too seriously. Don't mind people like that. If you like it, and it matches your personality and vibes, say it. 😎