Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 小睡 | xiǎoshuì |
| 午睡 | wǔshuì |
The term for a nap can vary depending on the specific type of rest being described. You can use 小睡 to refer to any short period of sleep. If the nap specifically occurs during the midday rest period, use 午睡. If you want to describe the act of dozing off or catching a quick, light nap, often unintentionally, you can use 打盹.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 小睡 is composed of 小 (small) and 睡 (sleep). The word 午睡 is composed of 午 (noon/midday) and 睡 (sleep).
Which one should you use?
小睡 is a general term for any short nap, whereas 午睡 specifically refers to a nap taken around noon or during the midday rest period.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing the duration of a nap, Chinese speakers often add 一会儿 after the verb 小睡 to mean 'to nap for a little while'.
How do you pronounce it?
xiǎoshuì
Did you know?
- The character 午 in 午睡 refers to the 'Horse' sign of the Chinese zodiac, which represents the period between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- In many Chinese workplaces, taking a midday nap is not seen as laziness but is a standard part of the professional routine. Employees often sleep right at their desks or in designated rest areas to recharge for the afternoon.
- The word 打盹 (dǎdǔn) is often used to describe the physical act of a head nodding or a person involuntarily dozing off. It captures the image of someone whose head is 'nodding' or 'bobbing' as they fall into a light sleep.
Examples in context
- 汤姆说他需要午睡。Tom says he needs a nap.This sentence is useful for expressing a need for a nap using the form 午睡.Tatoeba #8792844 by crescat, translation #1867933 by CK
- 我小睡后就感到生龙活虎。A little nap and, just like that, I'm as fresh as a daisy.This sentence is useful for describing how one feels after a nap using the form 小睡.Tatoeba #410802 by GlossaMatik, translation #410798 by FeuDRenais
- 我小睡了一会儿。I took a nap.This sentence is useful for stating that one took a nap using the form 小睡.Tatoeba #602903 by xiuqin, translation #6330930 by yuiyu
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking in the office break room.
- 志强 Zhiqiang雨婷，你看起来很累，需要小睡吗？Yǔtíng, nǐ kàn qǐlái hěn lèi, xūyào xiǎoshuì ma?Yuting, you look tired, do you need a nap?
- 雨婷 Yuting是的，我昨晚没睡好。Shì de, wǒ zuó wǎn méi shuì hǎo.Yes, I didn't sleep well last night.
- 志强 Zhiqiang快去休息吧，小睡二十分钟就好。Kuài qù xiūxí ba, xiǎoshuì èrshí fēnzhōng jiù hǎo.Go take a rest, a twenty-minute nap will do.
- 雨婷 Yuting谢谢你，志强。Xièxiè nǐ, Zhìqiáng.Thank you, Zhiqiang.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nap” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
