我想睡觉
wǒ xiǎng shuìjiào
The English phrase "I want to sleep" is translated into Chinese as 我想睡觉 (wǒ xiǎng shuìjiào).
This phrase is used to express a physical need for rest or a psychological desire to go to bed. You may also encounter the phrase 睡懒觉, which specifically means to sleep in.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 我 (I), 想 (want/would like to) and 睡觉 (to sleep).
Which one should you use?
While 我想睡觉 expresses a desire or feeling of wanting to sleep, the phrase 我要睡觉 (wǒ yào shuìjiào) sounds more like a firm intention or a declaration that you are about to go to bed.
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ xiǎng shuìjiào
Did you know?
- To describe a very heavy or deep sleep, Chinese speakers often use the phrase 睡得很死 (shuì de hěn sǐ), which literally means 'to sleep very dead'.
- Chinese uses the term 补觉 meaning 'to supplement sleep' to describe the act of catching up on rest after a period of insomnia or hard work.
- The character 睡 contains the radical 目 on the left, which represents an 'eye'.
Examples in context
- 我想睡觉。I want to sleep.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 我想睡觉.Tatoeba #380912 by ver, translation #321870 by CK
- 我想睡一会儿。I want to sleep for a while.
- 我想要睡个午觉。I want to take a nap.
- 我要睡整个晚上。I want to sleep for the whole night.
- 今天我想睡懒觉，不想早起。Today, I want to sleep in and don't want to get up early.
- 我很累，我想睡觉。Wǒ hěn lèi, wǒ xiǎng shuìjiào.I am very tired, I want to sleep.
- 太晚了，我想睡觉了。Tài wǎn le, wǒ xiǎng shuìjiào le.It is too late, I want to go to sleep.
Example conversation
A couple is talking at home late at night.
- 志强 Zhiqiang梓涵，我想睡觉了。Zǐhán, wǒ xiǎng shuìjiào le.Zihan, I want to sleep.
- 梓涵 Zihan你也觉得很累吗？Nǐ yě juéde hěn lèi ma?Do you feel tired too?
- 志强 Zhiqiang是的，我想睡觉。Shì de, wǒ xiǎng shuìjiào.Yes, I want to sleep.
- 梓涵 Zihan那我们早点休息吧。Nà wǒmen zǎodiǎn xiūxi ba.Then let's rest early.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
