سو جاؤ
so jao
The phrase "go to sleep" in Urdu is سو جاؤ (so jao).
This phrase is used as an instruction or a request to tell someone to begin sleeping.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the verb stem سو (from the verb *sona*, meaning "to sleep") and the auxiliary verb جاؤ (meaning "go" or "become"). Literally, it translates to "sleep go".
Which one should you use?
سو جاؤ is used when addressing peers or people younger than you, whereas سو جائیے is the version used to say "please go to sleep" in a polite manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form سو جاؤ is used when speaking to equals or people of a younger age. To shift the register to a polite or formal level, the verb changes to سو جائیے.
How do you pronounce it?
so jao
Did you know?
- In Urdu, the verb for 'to sleep', سونا, is spelled and pronounced exactly like the word for 'gold'.
- In Urdu, the word سو is a homonym that can mean 'hundred' in certain contexts, connecting it to the Persian word صد.
- When telling a child to go to sleep, parents often use سو جاؤ paired with the word بیٹا ('son' or 'child') regardless of whether the child is a boy or girl.
Examples in context
- بیٹا، سو جا (Beta, so ja)Son, go to sleep.
- اب سو جاؤ۔Ab so jao.Go to sleep now.
- جلدی سے سو جاؤ۔Jaldi se so jao.Go to sleep quickly.
- بچہ، اب سو جاؤ۔Bachcha, ab so jao.Child, go to sleep now.
Example conversation
A brother telling his sister to go to bed because it is late.
- عمر Omarبہت دیر ہو گئی ہے، زینب۔Bohat der ho gayi hai, Zainab.It is very late, Zainab.
- زینب Zainabمیں ابھی تھوڑی دیر اور کام کروں گی۔Mein abhi thori der aur kaam karun gi.I will work for a little longer.
- عمر Omarنہیں، اب سو جاؤ۔Nahi, ab so jao.No, go to sleep now.
- زینب Zainabٹھیک ہے، میں جا رہی ہوں۔Theek hai, mein ja rahi hoon.Okay, I am going.
