Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
瞓 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
瞓fènto sleepx, 15 strokes, radical 目
瞓fènto sleep (Cantonese)unknown, 15 strokes, radical 目
瞓fènMandarin equivalent: 睡[shui4]unknown, 15 strokes, radical 目
瞓shuìto sleepx, 15 strokes, radical 目
瞓shuìto sleep (Cantonese)unknown, 15 strokes, radical 目
瞓shuìMandarin equivalent: 睡[shui4]unknown, 15 strokes, radical 目
shuì(shui4)
primary
T4
  1. 1to sleep
  2. 2to sleep (Cantonese)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

瞓shuì(shui4)

The character 瞓 (shuì) primarily means 'to sleep.' It is commonly used in Cantonese and reflects a more colloquial expression for sleeping compared to its Mandarin equivalent, 睡 (shuì). In some regions, it is used to convey a casual or relaxed context of sleeping.

Strokes15Radical目
Cultural Note

In Cantonese culture, the use of 瞓 is a part of everyday language, often reflecting a laid-back attitude towards rest and sleep, which is culturally valued. It's common to hear phrases emphasizing the importance of napping during the day.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person 'shoo-ing' away distractions (the sound 'shu' in 'shuì') as they prepare to sleep. The character 瞓 incorporates the 'eye' radical (目), suggesting the act of closing one's eyes to sleep.

Meanings of 瞓

shuì(shui4)
primary
1to sleep
2to sleep (Cantonese)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 瞓

瞓Simplified
15Strokes
目Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 瞓

JasonAmy

Podcast: 瞓

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 瞓

Quick Contrast

睡 (shuì) is the standard Mandarin term for 'to sleep,' while 瞓 (shuì) is a more colloquial expression used in Cantonese.

Usage Notes

This character is more prevalent in Cantonese than in Mandarin, and learners might mistakenly use it in formal contexts where 睡 is more appropriate. It is informal and should be used in casual conversations.

HSK Study Tips

Although 瞓 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to the HSK Level 1 word 睡 (shuì). Students should focus on the pronunciation and informal usage in Cantonese-speaking environments to enhance their conversational skills.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 瞓 with 睡, using it inappropriately in Mandarin contexts. For example, saying '我瞓觉' instead of the correct '我睡觉' (wǒ shuì jiào) is a common mistake.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 瞓

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 瞓 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 瞓

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

eye

Semantic (meaning)目
+
Phonetic (sound)訓
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 瞓

  1. 1The meaning half目 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half訓 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayeye
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 瞓? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 瞓?

Decomposition of 瞓

IDS Structure⿰目訓
瞓Full Character
=
目mu4
left
訓xun4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 瞓?

How to say to sleep in Chinese

“to sleep” in Chinese is瞓fèn

The character 瞓 (shuì) primarily means 'to sleep.' It is commonly used in Cantonese and reflects a more colloquial expression for sleeping compared to its Mandarin equivalent, 睡 (shuì). In some regions, it is used to convey a casual or relaxed context of sleeping.

When to use 瞓

This character is more prevalent in Cantonese than in Mandarin, and learners might mistakenly use it in formal contexts where 睡 is more appropriate. It is informal and should be used in casual conversations.

瞓 or something close to it

睡 (shuì) is the standard Mandarin term for 'to sleep,' while 瞓 (shuì) is a more colloquial expression used in Cantonese.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 瞓 with 睡, using it inappropriately in Mandarin contexts. For example, saying '我瞓觉' instead of the correct '我睡觉' (wǒ shuì jiào) is a common mistake.

Write 瞓

瞓

Practice writing 瞓 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 瞓

Words Containing This Character1
瞓shuìto sleep (Cantonese)
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 瞓 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 瞓

No, 瞓 is primarily a Cantonese term; the Mandarin equivalent is 睡 (shuì).

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 瞓?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.