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March 24, 2026
熬夜áoyè(ao2ye4)
熬夜 (áo yè) means to stay up late or all night, often due to work, study, or social activities. It is commonly used in contexts where one sacrifices sleep for other commitments, which can lead to fatigue or health issues over time.
Strokes22Frequency#9975DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture,熬夜 is often seen as a badge of honor, reflecting dedication to work or studies. It is common for students and young professionals to stay up late, especially during exam season or project deadlines.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person 'awe-ing' at the clock as it strikes midnight, still working late into the night. The character 熬 contains the radical for fire (火), symbolizing the burning energy needed to stay awake, while 夜 means night. Together, they evoke the image of a long, sleepless night lit by the glow of a computer screen.
Meanings of 熬夜
áoyè(ao2ye4)
1to stay up late or all night
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About 熬夜
熬夜Simplified
22Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#9975Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 熬夜
Podcast: 熬夜
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AI Study Notes for 熬夜
Quick Contrast
熬夜 (áoyè) vs 通宵 (tōngxiāo): 通宵 specifically implies staying up all night without the connotation of work or study, often for leisure or socializing.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 熬夜; the second tone (áo) can easily be confused with the first tone. It is generally informal but can be used in semi-formal contexts, such as conversations with colleagues. Common collocations include '熬夜学习' (stay up late studying) or '熬夜工作' (stay up late working).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, students should focus on its usage in daily conversation and writing about lifestyle choices. Connecting it with other related vocabulary like '睡觉' (sleep) and '疲倦' (tired) can help solidify understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse熬夜 with '晚睡' (wǎn shuì), which simply means going to bed late without the implication of staying awake. For example, saying '我晚睡' (I go to bed late) doesn't convey the same meaning as '我熬夜' (I stay up late).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 熬夜
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How to say to stay up late or all night in Chinese
“to stay up late or all night” in Chinese is熬夜áoyè
熬夜 (áo yè) means to stay up late or all night, often due to work, study, or social activities. It is commonly used in contexts where one sacrifices sleep for other commitments, which can lead to fatigue or health issues over time.
When to use 熬夜
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 熬夜; the second tone (áo) can easily be confused with the first tone. It is generally informal but can be used in semi-formal contexts, such as conversations with colleagues. Common collocations include '熬夜学习' (stay up late studying) or '熬夜工作' (stay up late working).
熬夜 or something close to it
熬夜 (áoyè) vs 通宵 (tōngxiāo): 通宵 specifically implies staying up all night without the connotation of work or study, often for leisure or socializing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse熬夜 with '晚睡' (wǎn shuì), which simply means going to bed late without the implication of staying awake. For example, saying '我晚睡' (I go to bed late) doesn't convey the same meaning as '我熬夜' (I stay up late).
Write 熬夜
熬
夜
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Grammar Patterns of 熬夜
熬夜 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Staying up late to watch the game was tiring, but I think it was totally worth it.
Cultural Notes for 熬夜
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In many Western cultures, staying up late is often viewed negatively, associated with poor time management or lack of self-care, while in China, it can be celebrated as a sign of hard work.
Frequently Asked Questions about 熬夜
Yes, many people in China, especially students and young professionals, often熬夜 due to academic or work pressures.
Staying up late regularly can lead to fatigue, reduced cognitive function, and long-term health issues.
While熬夜 is mostly informal, it can be used in semi-formal contexts, but it's better to use it among peers.
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