shuìjiào: 睡觉 - to Sleep

• Keywords: shuijiao, 睡觉, sleep in Chinese, how to say sleep in Chinese, Chinese verb for sleep, go to bed Chinese, shuì jiào, Chinese sleep, learn Chinese sleep, HSK 1 verb
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb “睡觉” (shuìjiào), which means “to sleep” or “to go to bed.” This comprehensive guide breaks down the characters, explains the crucial cultural importance of napping (午睡), and provides 10 practical example sentences. Discover the nuances, common mistakes (like how to use it as a separable verb), and related terms to master this fundamental HSK 1 word and sound like a native speaker.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shuìjiào
• Part of Speech: Verb (Separable)
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: To engage in the act of sleeping; to go to bed.
• In a Nutshell: “睡觉” (shuìjiào) is the most common, everyday word for “to sleep” in Mandarin Chinese. It's a foundational verb you'll use daily, just like “to eat” (吃饭 chīfàn). Think of it as the general-purpose term for the entire action, from getting into bed to waking up. It's also a great introduction to a special type of Chinese verb called a “separable verb,” where the two characters can sometimes be split apart.

• 睡 (shuì): This character visually represents the act of sleeping. It's composed of the radical 目 (mù), meaning “eye,” and the phonetic component 垂 (chuí), which means “to droop” or “hang down.” Together, they create a vivid picture of “drooping eyes”—the perfect image for being sleepy or asleep.
• 觉 (jiào): In this context, “觉” acts as a noun meaning “a sleep.” Its original meaning is closer to “to perceive” or “to awaken.” When combined with 睡 (the verb “to sleep”), it forms the complete verb-object phrase 睡觉, which literally means “to sleep a sleep.”

This structure (verb + noun object) is very common in Chinese and is key to understanding how to use the word correctly.

While sleeping is a universal human need, the attitude towards napping highlights a notable cultural difference. In China, the 午睡 (wǔshuì), or midday nap, is a widespread and highly valued practice. Unlike in many Western corporate cultures where napping during work hours might be seen as unprofessional or lazy, in China it's considered essential for health and productivity. It's common to see office workers taking a nap at their desks after lunch, and many schools have a designated nap time for students. This practice is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which emphasizes balancing yin and yang and following the body's natural rhythms. The post-lunch dip in energy is seen not as something to be “powered through” with coffee, but as a natural signal to rest and recharge. Therefore, asking a colleague “你午睡了吗?” (Nǐ wǔshuì le ma? - “Did you take your nap?”) is a normal, friendly question, whereas it might be an odd or overly personal question to ask in a typical American office. This acceptance of rest as a public and necessary part of the day is a key cultural aspect related to 睡觉.

“睡觉” is a neutral, all-purpose term used in virtually any informal or semi-formal context.

• Telling someone your plans: You'll use it to say you're going to bed. (e.g., “我太困了，要去睡觉了。” - Wǒ tài kùn le, yào qù shuìjiào le. - “I'm so tired, I'm going to sleep.”)
• Asking about routines: It's the standard way to ask about someone's sleep schedule. (e.g., “你一般几点睡觉?” - Nǐ yìbān jǐ diǎn shuìjiào? - “What time do you usually go to bed?”)
• Expressing wishes: The phrase “睡个好觉” (shuì ge hǎo jiào - “sleep a good sleep”) is a common way to say “sleep well.”

It's used constantly in daily conversation, texting, and social media among friends, family, and colleagues.

• Example 1:
  • 我每天晚上十一点睡觉。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ měitiān wǎnshang shíyī diǎn shuìjiào.
  • English: I go to bed at 11 o'clock every night.
  • Analysis: A simple statement about a daily routine. This is one of the most common ways you'll use the word.
• Example 2:
  • 你为什么这么晚还不睡觉？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ wèishénme zhème wǎn hái bù shuìjiào?
  • English: Why are you still not asleep this late?
  • Analysis: A common question, often used to show concern for someone staying up too late.
• Example 3:
  • 宝宝正在睡觉，请小声一点。
  • Pinyin: Bǎobao zhèngzài shuìjiào, qǐng xiǎo shēng yìdiǎn.
  • English: The baby is sleeping, please be a little quieter.
  • Analysis: The structure “正在 + verb” indicates an action in progress, equivalent to the “-ing” form in English.
• Example 4:
  • 昨天晚上我睡了一个好觉。
  • Pinyin: Zuótiān wǎnshang wǒ shuì le yí ge hǎo jiào.
  • English: I had a good sleep last night.
  • Analysis: This is a perfect example of a separable verb. The descriptor “一个好” (a good one) is inserted between “睡” and “觉”. You cannot say “我睡觉了一个好”.
• Example 5:
  • 太晚了，我得去睡觉了。
  • Pinyin: Tài wǎn le, wǒ děi qù shuìjiào le.
  • English: It's too late, I have to go to sleep.
  • Analysis: “得” (děi) means “must” or “have to,” expressing necessity. The “了” (le) at the end indicates a change of state (I wasn't going to bed, but now I am).
• Example 6:
  • 他吃完药就去睡觉了。
  • Pinyin: Tā chī wán yào jiù qù shuìjiào le.
  • English: He went to sleep right after taking his medicine.
  • Analysis: “就” (jiù) is used here to connect two actions that happen in quick succession.
• Example 7:
  • 周末我喜欢睡懒觉。
  • Pinyin: Zhōumò wǒ xǐhuān shuì lǎnjiào.
  • English: On weekends, I like to sleep in.
  • Analysis: “睡懒觉” (shuì lǎnjiào) is a fixed phrase meaning “to sleep in” (literally “sleep a lazy sleep”). It's another example of separating 睡 and 觉.
• Example 8:
  • 祝你睡个好觉！
  • Pinyin: Zhù nǐ shuì ge hǎo jiào!
  • English: Hope you sleep well! / Sleep well!
  • Analysis: A common and warm way to wish someone a good night. Notice the separable structure again. “个” (ge) is a measure word for “觉” (a sleep).
• Example 9:
  • 你睡了多长时间的觉？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shuì le duō cháng shíjiān de jiào?
  • English: How long did you sleep?
  • Analysis: To ask about the duration of sleep, you must separate the verb. The duration “多长时间” (duō cháng shíjiān - “how long a time”) is placed in the middle.
• Example 10:
  • 我昨天没睡觉，因为我需要工作。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuótiān méi shuìjiào, yīnwèi wǒ xūyào gōngzuò.
  • English: I didn't sleep yesterday because I needed to work.
  • Analysis: To negate a past action, use “没” (méi) or “没有” (méiyǒu). In this case, the verb remains whole.

The most significant pitfall for learners is understanding that 睡觉 (shuìjiào) is a separable verb. This means it's a verb-object compound that can be split to insert other words.

• Common Mistake: Adding descriptors or complements after the full word “睡觉”.
  • Incorrect: 我睡觉了八个小时。 (Wǒ shuìjiào le bā ge xiǎoshí.)
  • Correct: 我睡了八个小时的觉。 (Wǒ shuì le bā ge xiǎoshí de jiào.)
  • Reason: The duration (八个小时 - eight hours) must be inserted between the verb (睡) and the object (觉).
• “False Friend” Distinction: 睡觉 (shuìjiào) vs. 睡着 (shuìzháo)
  • 睡觉 (shuìjiào): Refers to the action or process of sleeping. It describes going to bed and the general state of being asleep.
  • 睡着 (shuìzháo): Refers to the result of falling asleep. It's a resultative complement that means you have successfully entered the state of sleep.
  • Example to illustrate the difference:
    • 他晚上十点就睡觉了，但是半夜才睡着。
    • Tā wǎnshang shí diǎn jiù shuìjiào le, dànshì bànyè cái shuìzháo.
    • He went to bed (睡觉) at 10 PM, but he didn't fall asleep (睡着) until midnight.

Using “睡觉” when you mean “fall asleep” is a very common beginner error.

• 起床 (qǐchuáng) - To get up, to get out of bed. The direct antonym of going to bed.
• 睡着 (shuìzháo) - To fall asleep. The resultative state of successfully starting to sleep.
• 失眠 (shīmián) - To suffer from insomnia. The inability to sleep.
• 熬夜 (áoyè) - To stay up late, to pull an all-nighter. The opposite action of going to bed early.
• 午睡 (wǔshuì) - Midday nap, siesta. A culturally significant type of sleep.
• 打瞌睡 (dǎ kēshuì) - To doze off, to nod off. Describes unintentionally falling asleep for a short time, often while sitting up.
• 睡懒觉 (shuì lǎnjiào) - To sleep in. A common colloquial phrase using the separable nature of 睡觉.
• 做梦 (zuò mèng) - To dream. An activity that happens while you are 睡觉.
• 困 (kùn) - Sleepy, tired. The adjective describing the feeling you have before you 睡觉.