தூங்கு
tūṅku/t̪uːŋɡɯ/
To sleep in Tamil is தூங்கு (tūṅku). Wiktionary also lists உறங்கு (uṟaṅku).
Meaning: to rest in state of reduced consciousness (verb)
Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| தூங்கு | tūṅku | /t̪uːŋɡɯ/ |
| உறங்கு | uṟaṅku | /ʊrɐŋɡɯ/ |
The verb refers to resting in a state of reduced consciousness. The related noun தூக்கம் (tūkkam) can be used to describe the sensation of feeling sleepy. If you wish to talk about a dream, the word is kanavu.
Which one should you use?
While both தூங்கு and உறங்கு mean to sleep, உறங்கு (uṟaṅku) is more formal or literary than தூங்கு (tūṅku).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the verb தூங்கு, the first person singular past tense (I slept) is தூங்கினேன் (tūṅṅinēṉ). For a third-person masculine subject in the future tense (he will sleep), use தூங்குவான் (tūṅkuvāṉ).
How do you pronounce it?
tūṅku (/t̪uːŋɡɯ/)
Did you know?
- The word தூங்கு (tūṅku) shares a common ancestor with the Kannada word 'tūgu', which means 'to hang'.
- The Tamil word for 'dream' கனவு (kanavu) is used not only for nighttime visions but also to describe an ambitious daydream or an unrealistic wish.
- In some Tamil idioms, 'sleep' is used metaphorically to describe someone who is unaware or ignorant of a situation, similar to the English phrase 'asleep at the wheel'.
Examples in context
- நான் தினமும் நன்றாக தூங்குகிறேன்.I sleep well every day.This sentence shows how to use the verb தூங்கு to describe a daily habit.Tatoeba #7156669 by Singaravelu, translation #7156666 by Singaravelu
- நான் தூங்குவதற்கு முயற்சி செய்து கொண்டிருக்கிறேன்I'm trying to sleep.This sentence uses தூங்கு to describe an attempt to sleep.Tatoeba #4157619 by Singaravelu, translation #322742 by CK
- போய் தூங்குGo to sleep.This sentence uses தூங்கு as a command to go to sleep.Tatoeba #4157452 by Singaravelu, translation #453530 by saasmath
Example conversation
A couple talking in their bedroom at night.
- அருண் Arunநீ இன்னும் ஏன் தூங்கவில்லை?nee innum yen thoongavillai?Why haven't you slept yet?
- பிரியா Priyaஎனக்கு இன்னும் தூக்கம் வரவில்லை.enaku innum thookkam varavillai.I am not feeling sleepy yet.
- அருண் Arunசீக்கிரம் போய் தூங்கு, பிரியா.seekkiram poi thoongu, Priya.Go to sleep soon, Priya.
- பிரியா Priyaசரி, நான் இப்போது தூங்குகிறேன்.seri, naan ippo thoongugiren.Okay, I am sleeping now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sleep” translations and entries தூங்கு, உறங்கு, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries உறங்கு, தூங்கு, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
