Soneca vs. sesta vs. cochilo
While soneca, sesta, and cochilo all refer to a short period of sleep, the choice depends heavily on the context, the time of day, and whether you are in Brazil or Portugal. Sesta is tied to post-lunch rest, soneca often implies a light sleep or the alarm clock function, and cochilo is the standard casual term for a quick nap, especially in Brazil.
Soneca
B1This word implies a light, refreshing sleep. It is frequently used when referring to small children or babies napping. In modern usage, soneca is also the specific technical term for the snooze button on an alarm clock.
O bebê está muito cansado e precisa de uma soneca agora.
(The baby is very tired and needs a nap now.)
Eu estava com tanta preguiça que apertei o botão soneca três vezes.
(I was so lazy that I hit the snooze button three times.)
Aquela soneca da tarde me ajudou a recuperar as energias.
(That afternoon nap helped me regain my energy.)
Sesta
B2Derived from the Latin sexta (the sixth hour of the day), this word refers specifically to a nap taken after lunch to digest food. It is commonly used in Portugal. In Brazil, it is understood but sounds somewhat old-fashioned or formal compared to other terms.
Em muitas vilas de Portugal, as lojas fecham para a sesta.
(In many villages in Portugal, shops close for the afternoon nap.)
Meu avô nunca dispensa a sesta depois de comer feijoada.
(My grandfather never skips his nap after eating bean stew.)
Fazer a sesta é um hábito muito saudável para a digestão.
(Taking a post-lunch nap is a very healthy habit for digestion.)
Cochilo
B1This is the most popular term in Brazil for a quick, informal nap at any time of day. It often implies dozing off unintentionally (like while watching TV) or taking a power nap. Outside of Brazil, it is less common, though understood.
Vou tirar um cochilo de quinze minutos antes de sair.
(I am going to take a fifteen-minute nap before going out.)
Ele estava tão cansado que deu um cochilo durante a reunião.
(He was so tired that he dozed off during the meeting.)
Gosto de tirar um cochilo na rede da varanda.
(I like to take a nap in the hammock on the balcony.)
Summary
Use sesta specifically for a nap after lunch (common in Portugal). Use soneca for babies, light resting, or the alarm clock snooze button. Use cochilo for any casual short nap or dozing off, especially if you are speaking Brazilian Portuguese.