Definitions

shuì (verb) to sleep

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "睡" originates from a combination of the radical "目", meaning eye, and the component "垂", which conveys the idea of drooping or hanging down, thus forming a visual representation of eyelids closing in weariness. Initially, this character specifically described the act of dozing or napping, often while seated, rather than referring to sustained sleep. Over time, its meaning broadened to encompass all states of sleep, reflecting a linguistic shift from a particular gesture of rest to a more general term. Throughout its history, the character's structure has remained unchanged, with its components continuing to denote the core concept of drowsiness through the imagery of falling eyelids.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我每天都觉。

Wǒ měitiān dōu shuìjiào.

I sleep every day.

他正在床上觉。

Tā zhèngzài chuángshàng shuìjiào.

He is sleeping on the bed.

觉对健康很重要。

Shuìjiào duì jiànkāng hěn zhòngyào.

Sleep is important for health.

我昨晚得很好。

Wǒ zuówǎn shuì de hěn hǎo.

I slept well last night.

如果你困了,就去觉。

Rúguǒ nǐ kùn le, jiù qù shuìjiào.

If you are sleepy, go to sleep.

过头了,所以迟到了。

Tā shuìguòtóu le, suǒyǐ chídào le.

He overslept, so he was late.

在火车上觉很不舒服。

Zài huǒchē shàng shuìjiào hěn bù shūfú.

Sleeping on the train is very uncomfortable.

眠不足,整天都很累。

Tā shuìmián bùzú, zhěngtiān dōu hěn lèi.

She lacks sleep and is tired all day.