ngủ
[ŋu˧˩]
ngủ is the Vietnamese verb for sleep.
The verb ngủ is used to describe both the act of sleeping and the state of being asleep. Related nouns include giấc ngủ and sự ngũ, which refer to the state of reduced consciousness itself.
Meaning: to rest in state of reduced consciousness (verb)
Which one should you use?
While ngủ is the standard verb, you may encounter the noun giấc ngủ or sự ngũ when referring to the concept or period of sleep rather than the action.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In a conversational or colloquial context, the phrase đi ngủ is commonly used to mean 'to go to sleep' or 'to go to bed'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When you want to refer to a period or the quality of sleep as a noun, avoid using the verb ngủ and use the noun giấc ngủ instead.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese culture, the 'midday nap' is a widespread social norm in offices and schools to ensure productivity for the afternoon.
- The word ngủ is used in the phrase ngủm, which is a slang term meaning 'to die' or 'to kick the bucket'.
- The word ngủ is not actually of Vietnamese origin, but was borrowed from the Kra-Dai language family.
Examples in context
- Tớ đi ngủ đây.I need to sleep now.This sentence shows how to use ngủ to say you are going to sleep.Tatoeba #6275457 by moriole, translation #3290766 by CM
- Bạn nên đi ngủYou should sleep.This sentence uses ngủ to give advice to someone to sleep.Tatoeba #12528570 by thanhcona40, translation #1311 by CK
- Nó tìm chỗ ngủ.He looked for a place in which to sleep.This sentence demonstrates using ngủ when searching for a place to sleep.Tatoeba #1564055 by trieuho, translation #303965 by sundown
- Bạn nên ngủ đủ tám giờ mỗi đêm.You should sleep a full eight hours every night.
- Tôi cần nghỉ ngơi một chút.I need to get some sleep/rest for a bit.
- 87 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hùng and Lan are talking at night.
- HùngLan vẫn chưa ngủ à?Lan, you aren't sleeping yet?
- LanTớ không ngủ được.I can't sleep.
- HùngHãy thử ngủ sớm đi.Try to go to sleep early.
- LanĐược rồi, tớ sẽ ngủ bây giờ.Okay, I will sleep now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sleep” translations and entries ngủ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ngủ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
