Ways to say it
| Bengali | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ঘুমানো | ghumanō | [ˈɡʱu.maˌno] (narrow) |
| শোয়া | śōẇa | /ʃo̯a/ |
The primary verb for the state of reduced consciousness is ঘুমানো. Related to this is the noun ঘুম, which refers to the state of sleep itself. You may also encounter the word পিঁচুটি, which refers to the substance found in the corner of the eyes, sometimes used figuratively to objectify sleep.
Which one should you use?
While ঘুমানো is the standard verb for the act of sleeping, শোয়া literally means to lie down and is frequently used colloquially to mean going to bed or sleeping.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb ঘুমানো changes form depending on the context: use ঘুমায় for the third-person singular present tense. To express the transition of falling asleep, use the compound verb ঘুমিয়ে পড়া. To describe the continuous state of someone who is currently asleep, use the phrase ঘুমিয়ে থাকা.
How do you pronounce it?
ghumanō
Did you know?
- The Bengali word শোয়া is a distant relative of the English word 'sleep' because both originate from the Proto-Indo-European root *swep-.
- Bengali culture often uses metaphors involving 'sleep' to describe a lack of awareness or a state of negligence, extending the meaning of ঘুমানো beyond physical rest.
Examples in context
- তোর ঘুমানো উচিৎ।You should sleep.This sentence demonstrates the use of ঘুমানো to express a suggestion regarding sleep.Tatoeba #3176066 by tanay, translation #1311 by CK
- আমি ঘুমাতে যাচ্ছি।I am going to sleep.
- তুমি অল্প শুয়ে যাও।You get some sleep.
- ঘুমাও দুই ঘণ্টা।Sleep for two hours.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Moumita and Anirban are talking at night.
- মৌমিতা Moumitaঅনির্বাণ, তোমার কি ঘুমানো দরকার?Anirban, tomar ki ghumano dorkar?Anirban, do you need to sleep?
- অনির্বাণ Anirbanহ্যাঁ, আমি খুব ক্লান্ত।Hyan, ami khub klanto.Yes, I am very tired.
- মৌমিতা Moumitaতাহলে এখনই ঘুমানো উচিত।Tahole ekhoni ghumano uchit.Then you should sleep right now.
- অনির্বাণ Anirbanঠিক বলেছ, শুভ রাত্রি!Thik bolecho, shubho ratri!You're right, good night!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sleep” translations and entries ঘুমানো, শোয়া, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ঘুমানো, শোয়া, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
