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睡眠不足

A2 noun 11 min read

睡眠不足

shuì mián bù zú

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 睡眠不足 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 睡眠不足 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know that '睡眠' (shuìmián) means 'sleep' and '不足' (bùzú) means 'not enough.' Even though this is a slightly formal word, you can use it to tell people you are tired. Think of it as 'Sleep No Enough.' You can say '我睡眠不足' (I don't have enough sleep). It is simpler than explaining why you are tired. Just remember that '睡眠' is a noun, like 'food' or 'water.' You are saying your 'sleep' is 'not enough.' At this stage, don't worry about complex grammar. Just use it as a set phrase to describe your state when you stayed up late studying or traveling. You might also hear your teacher say it if you look sleepy in class. It's a good word to show you are learning 'real' Chinese beyond just 'I am tired' (我很有累 - which is also a common mistake, it should be 我很累). By using '睡眠不足', you sound more like a serious student.

At the A2 level, you can start using '睡眠不足' (shuìmián bùzú) in slightly more complex sentences. You should understand that it describes a condition. You can use it with '因为' (yīnwèi - because) to explain things. For example: '因为睡眠不足，我头疼' (Because of lack of sleep, I have a headache). You should also notice that '不足' is a very useful word that can be paired with other things, like '时间不足' (not enough time). In A2, you are moving from simple phrases to connecting ideas. Using '睡眠不足' helps you describe your daily life and health. You can also use it to ask others about their well-being: '你最近是不是睡眠不足？' (Have you been lacking sleep lately?). This shows you can use formal-sounding words in a caring, conversational way. You should also be able to recognize it in simple health tips or posters.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '睡眠不足' in both spoken and written Chinese. You can use it to discuss social issues or personal habits in more detail. You might use adverbs like '经常' (jīngcháng - often) or '总是' (zǒngshì - always) to describe a pattern: '他经常睡眠不足，这对身体不好' (He is often sleep-deprived, which is bad for the body). You can also start using it as a noun phrase that can be the object of more advanced verbs like '导致' (dǎozhì - to lead to) or '引起' (yǐnqǐ - to cause). For example, '长期睡眠不足会导致记忆力下降' (Long-term sleep deprivation leads to a decline in memory). At this level, you are expected to understand the difference between '睡眠不足' and '失眠' (insomnia) and use them correctly in a conversation about health or work-life balance. You can also use it in a 'If... then...' structure: '如果睡眠不足，就不能好好工作' (If you lack sleep, you can't work well).

At the B2 level, you should understand the stylistic nuances of '睡眠不足.' It is the preferred term for essays, formal reports, and professional discussions. You can use it to analyze the '996' work culture or the pressures of the Chinese education system. You should be able to use it with more sophisticated vocabulary like '普遍存在' (pǔbiàn cúnzài - exist commonly) or '日益严重' (rìyì yánzhòng - becoming more serious daily). For example: '在竞争激烈的社会中，睡眠不足已成为一种普遍存在的现象' (In a highly competitive society, sleep deprivation has become a common phenomenon). You should also be able to discuss the '危害' (wēihài - hazards) of sleep deprivation fluently. At this level, your grammar should be precise—knowing when to use '睡眠不足' as a subject and when to use it as a modifier. You might also explore related idioms or more literary ways to describe being tired, but '睡眠不足' remains your core 'scientific' term.

At the C1 level, you use '睡眠不足' with the precision of a native speaker. You can incorporate it into complex arguments about public health policy, labor laws, or psychological well-being. You should be able to distinguish between 'acute sleep deprivation' (急性睡眠不足) and 'chronic sleep deprivation' (慢性/长期睡眠不足). You can use it in sentences with complex structures, such as '与其说是压力大，不如说是长期的睡眠不足摧毁了他的健康' (Rather than saying it's stress, it's more that long-term sleep deprivation destroyed his health). You should also be aware of the cultural discourse surrounding sleep in China, such as the 'Sleep Economy' (睡眠经济) where products are sold to fix '睡眠不足.' You can read academic papers or high-level news editorials that use this term to discuss the impact on the national GDP or the cognitive development of children. Your usage should reflect an understanding of '不足' as a versatile formal suffix.

At the C2 level, '睡眠不足' is just one tool in your extensive linguistic arsenal. You can use it in high-level debates, academic writing, or even literary contexts to discuss the human condition. You might explore the philosophical implications of a society that views '睡眠不足' as a sign of productivity. You can effortlessly switch between '睡眠不足,' '宵衣旰食' (xiāo yī gàn shí - working late and getting up early, a classical idiom), and '缺觉' depending on the register and audience. You can analyze the etymology of the characters 睡 and 眠 and how their combination with 不足 reflects Chinese linguistic history. You are capable of giving a keynote speech on the physiological mechanisms of sleep and how '睡眠不足' disrupts the circadian rhythm (昼夜节律). Your mastery is such that you can use the term with irony or metaphor, and you understand every subtle connotation it carries in different Chinese-speaking regions.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

睡眠不足 in 30 Seconds

A formal term for sleep deprivation or not getting enough rest.
Used in medical, professional, and daily contexts to describe fatigue.
Combines 'sleep' (睡眠) and 'insufficient' (不足) into a single concept.
Often linked to negative health effects and high-pressure lifestyles in China.

The term 睡眠不足 (shuìmián bùzú) is a formal and precise way to describe the state of not getting enough sleep. In the Chinese language, this compound noun is formed by two distinct parts: 睡眠 (shuìmián), which is the formal word for 'sleep' (as opposed to the more colloquial 睡觉 shuìjiào), and 不足 (bùzú), which means 'insufficient' or 'not enough.' When combined, they create a term that is used frequently in medical, academic, and professional contexts, but it is also a staple of daily conversation among students and workers in high-pressure environments.

Formal Context: In a clinical or psychological setting, a doctor might say '长期睡眠不足会影响健康' (Chronic sleep deprivation will affect your health). It sounds more diagnostic than simply saying you didn't sleep well.

由于最近加班很多，我感到严重的睡眠不足。

'Due to a lot of overtime recently, I feel severe sleep deprivation.'

In modern Chinese society, especially within the '996' work culture (working 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week) or among students preparing for the Gaokao, this phrase has become a common complaint. It carries a nuance of being overwhelmed by external demands that prevent one from achieving basic physiological rest. Unlike '没睡好' (méi shuì hǎo), which might mean you slept but the quality was poor, 睡眠不足 specifically highlights the quantitative lack of hours spent sleeping.

Etymological Breakdown: The character 睡 (shuì) originally meant to nod off while sitting. 眠 (mián) refers to closing the eyes. Together, they represent the total act of sleeping. 不足 (bùzú) literally means 'not sufficient' or 'not enough to fill the feet/steps,' implying a gap between what is needed and what is present.

如果睡眠不足，你的反应会变慢。

'If you lack sleep, your reactions will slow down.'

You will often see this phrase in health magazines, workplace wellness seminars, and on social media platforms like Xiaohongshu or Weibo, where users post selfies with dark circles under their eyes. It is a word that bridges the gap between everyday life and scientific reality, making it essential for any learner aiming for a natural yet sophisticated level of Chinese.

Social Context: In China, '睡眠不足' is often seen as a badge of hard work, though this perception is changing as health awareness grows. It is frequently linked to the concept of '内卷' (nèijuǎn - involution/intense competition).

现在的年轻人普遍存在睡眠不足的问题。

'Nowadays, young people generally have the problem of sleep deprivation.'

医生建议他多休息，以改善睡眠不足的情况。

'The doctor suggested he rest more to improve the situation of sleep deprivation.'

Using 睡眠不足 correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a noun phrase that describes a condition. It is most commonly used as the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb like '导致' (dǎozhì - to lead to), or as a standalone description of a person's state. Unlike English where we say 'I am sleep-deprived,' in Chinese, you often say 'I have sleep insufficiency' or 'My sleep is insufficient.'

As a Subject: When it starts a sentence, it focuses on the consequences of the condition. Example: '睡眠不足会让人脾气变坏' (Sleep deprivation can make one's temper worse).

睡眠不足是现代人的通病。

'Sleep deprivation is a common ailment of modern people.'

A very common pattern is using the verb '感到' (gǎndào - to feel) or '出现' (chūxiàn - to appear/manifest). For example, '我感到睡眠不足' (I feel sleep-deprived). You can also use it with '导致' to show cause and effect: '压力过大导致了他睡眠不足' (Excessive pressure led to his lack of sleep). Notice that you don't usually say '我很睡眠不足' because it is not a pure adjective; instead, you would say '我睡眠很不足' or '我睡眠不足' directly.

With Adverbs of Degree: To emphasize the severity, use words like '严重' (yánzhòng - serious) or '长期' (chángqī - long-term). Example: '他长期睡眠不足，脸色很差' (He has been sleep-deprived for a long time, and his complexion is very poor).

由于睡眠不足，他开车时差点睡着了。

'Due to lack of sleep, he almost fell asleep while driving.'

In more advanced usage, you can use it as an attributive to modify other nouns, though this is less common than using it as a direct state. For example, '睡眠不足的危害' (The hazards of sleep deprivation). Here, the particle '的' (de) connects the condition to the consequence. This structure is very useful for writing essays or giving presentations about health and lifestyle.

Comparison with '没睡够': '没睡够' (méi shuì gòu) is the casual version. You use '没睡够' with friends: '我昨晚没睡够' (I didn't sleep enough last night). You use '睡眠不足' in a report or a serious discussion about health.

长期睡眠不足会对大脑造成损伤。

'Long-term sleep deprivation will cause damage to the brain.'

你看起来像是睡眠不足的样子。

'You look like you are in a state of sleep deprivation.'

Understanding the context of 睡眠不足 helps you use it at the right time. While it is a formal term, it is incredibly pervasive in Chinese urban life. You will hear it in news broadcasts discussing public health, in office hallways during coffee breaks, and even in school meetings between parents and teachers.

In the Media: News anchors often report on '国民睡眠不足' (national sleep deprivation), highlighting how the average person in China is sleeping fewer hours than a decade ago. It's a major topic during 'World Sleep Day' (世界睡眠日).

新闻报道指出，青少年睡眠不足的情况日益严重。

'News reports point out that the situation of sleep deprivation among teenagers is becoming increasingly serious.'

In the workplace, colleagues might use it as a polite way to explain why they look tired or why they made a minor error. Instead of saying 'I stayed up playing games,' they might say '最近有些睡眠不足' to sound more professional, implying that they have been busy or stressed. It’s a socially acceptable 'excuse' that everyone understands.

Medical and Health Apps: If you use a sleep-tracking app in Chinese, like 'Keep' or 'Mint Health,' the app will often give you a notification: '检测到您最近睡眠不足，请注意休息' (Detected that you have been lacking sleep lately, please pay attention to rest).

医生说，睡眠不足是导致脱发的原因之一。

'The doctor said that sleep deprivation is one of the causes of hair loss.'

Education is another major area. In China, the academic load is heavy. You will hear parents talking about their children: '孩子作业太多，天天睡眠不足' (The child has too much homework and lacks sleep every day). This phrase carries the weight of a societal problem, reflecting the tension between achievement and health.

In Literature and Drama: In modern TV dramas (CDramas), especially those focusing on office life or medical professionals, the term is frequently used to emphasize the character's dedication or the grueling nature of their job.

长期睡眠不足会让人焦虑。

'Long-term sleep deprivation will make people anxious.'

为了考试，他已经连续一周睡眠不足了。

'For the exam, he has been lacking sleep for a week straight.'

Even though 睡眠不足 seems straightforward, English speakers often make specific errors when translating their thoughts directly into Chinese. The most common mistakes involve confusing it with verbs, using incorrect degree modifiers, or mixing it up with related but different terms like 'insomnia.'

Mistake 1: Using it as a Verb: In English, we say 'I am sleep-deprived.' Learners often try to say '我睡眠不足了' (wǒ shuìmián bùzú le) as if it were a verb phrase like 'I fell sleep-deprived.' While this is sometimes okay in very casual speech, it's better to treat it as a noun phrase describing a state: '我有睡眠不足的问题' or simply '我睡眠不足.'

Incorrect: 我很睡眠不足。
Correct: 我睡眠不足。 (Or: 我睡眠严重不足。)

'Note: Avoid using '很' (very) directly before '睡眠不足' because '不足' already contains a sense of degree.'

Another common error is confusing '睡眠不足' (not enough sleep) with '失眠' (shīmián - insomnia). '失眠' means you cannot sleep even if you want to. '睡眠不足' means you did not sleep enough, often due to work, lifestyle choices, or external circumstances. If you tell a doctor you have '睡眠不足' when you actually have '失眠', they might give you advice on time management instead of medicine for sleep.

Mistake 2: Overusing '睡觉': Learners often say '睡觉不足.' While understandable, it sounds slightly childish or non-native. '睡眠' is the proper noun for the biological process of sleep, while '睡觉' is the action of going to bed. Always pair '不足' with '睡眠' for the correct term.

Awkward: 睡觉不足对身体不好。
Natural: 睡眠不足对身体不好。

Finally, watch out for the word order when adding emphasis. Instead of '严重的睡眠不足' (which is correct as a noun phrase), learners sometimes say '睡眠不足严重.' If you want to say the lack of sleep is serious, you should say '睡眠严重不足' (shuìmián yánzhòng bùzú). Here, '严重' modifies '不足,' meaning 'seriously insufficient.'

Mistake 3: Confusing with '熬夜': '熬夜' (áoyè) is a verb meaning 'to stay up late.' '睡眠不足' is the result of '熬夜.' You cannot say '我睡眠不足了整个晚上.' You should say '我昨晚熬夜了，所以现在睡眠不足.'

不要把“熬夜”和“睡眠不足”混淆。

'Do not confuse 'staying up late' with 'sleep deprivation.''

To truly master the concept of 睡眠不足, it is helpful to see it alongside its synonyms and related terms. Depending on whether you are talking to a doctor, a friend, or a boss, you might choose a different word to express your fatigue.

失眠 (shīmián): Meaning: Insomnia. Unlike '睡眠不足', which can be voluntary (like staying up to work), '失眠' is usually involuntary. You want to sleep but can't.
没睡好 (méi shuì hǎo): Meaning: Didn't sleep well. This refers to the quality of sleep. You might have slept 8 hours, but if the quality was poor, you '没睡好'.
缺觉 (quē jiào): Meaning: Lacking sleep (Colloquial). This is the informal equivalent of '睡眠不足'. It's very common in spoken Northern Chinese dialects. Example: '我最近太缺觉了' (I'm so sleep-deprived lately).

虽然他没有失眠，但因为工作忙，他一直睡眠不足。

'Although he doesn't have insomnia, because he is busy with work, he has been lacking sleep.'

Another related term is 疲惫 (píbèi), which means 'exhausted.' While '睡眠不足' is the cause, '疲惫' is the feeling. You could say, '因为睡眠不足，我感到非常疲惫' (Because of sleep deprivation, I feel very exhausted). If you want to describe the physical appearance of someone who lacks sleep, you might use 憔悴 (qiáocuì), which means 'haggard' or 'worn out.'

熬夜 (áoyè): Meaning: To stay up late/all night. This is an action. '睡眠不足' is the state resulting from this action. '熬夜' is a very common verb in student life.

比起“缺觉”，“睡眠不足”更适合用在正式的文章中。

'Compared to 'quē jiào', 'shuìmián bùzú' is more suitable for formal articles.'

In medical contexts, you might also encounter 睡眠障碍 (shuìmián zhàng'ài), which means 'sleep disorder.' This is a broader category that includes sleep deprivation, insomnia, sleep apnea, and other issues. Knowing these distinctions allows you to be more precise in your communication, moving from basic survival Chinese to a more nuanced command of the language.

困倦 (kùnjuàn): Meaning: Drowsy/Sleepy. This is the immediate feeling you have when you are '睡眠不足'. You might feel '困倦' in the middle of a meeting.

为了解决睡眠不足的问题，他决定每天早睡一小时。

'To solve the problem of sleep deprivation, he decided to go to bed an hour earlier every day.'

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '睡' (shuì) originally meant to sleep while sitting up! It only later became the general word for sleeping.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃweɪ miæn buː dzuː/

US /ʃweɪ miæn buː dzuː/

The primary stress falls on 'shuì' and 'bù' as they are 4th tones, which are naturally more forceful.

Rhymes With

足 (zú) rhymes with 湖 (hú) 足 (zú) rhymes with 图 (tú) 足 (zú) rhymes with 读 (dú) 足 (zú) rhymes with 族 (zú) 足 (zú) rhymes with 苦 (kǔ - near rhyme) 足 (zú) rhymes with 路 (lù - near rhyme) 足 (zú) rhymes with 步 (bù - near rhyme) 足 (zú) rhymes with 租 (zū)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'shuì' as 'suì' (missing the 'h').
Mixing up 'mián' with 'miàn' (2nd tone vs 4th tone).
Pronouncing 'zú' as 'zhú'.
Failing to change the tone of 'bù' when necessary (though here it stays 4th).
Saying 'shuì jiào bù zú' instead of 'shuì mián bù zú'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are moderately complex but common.

Writing 4/5

Writing '睡眠' and '不足' from memory requires practice.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward if tones are mastered.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognizable in health and news contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

睡觉休息累不多

Learn Next

失眠压力健康影响导致

Advanced

神经衰弱内分泌失调亚健康昼夜节律睡眠质量

Grammar to Know

Resultative Complements

他因为睡眠不足而累坏了。

Using '由于' (Due to)

由于睡眠不足，他无法集中注意力。

The 'Not only... but also' structure

睡眠不足不仅影响心情，还影响效率。

Adverbs of Degree

他的睡眠严重不足。

Noun as a Subject

睡眠不足是一个全球性的问题。

Examples by Level

我睡眠不足。

I lack sleep.

Simple Subject + Noun Phrase.

你睡眠不足吗？

Do you lack sleep?

Question with 吗.

他不睡觉，所以睡眠不足。

He doesn't sleep, so he lacks sleep.

Cause and effect with 所以.

老师说我睡眠不足。

The teacher said I lack sleep.

Reported speech.

睡眠不足很累。

Lacking sleep is very tiring.

Using the phrase as a subject.

我昨天睡眠不足。

I lacked sleep yesterday.

Adding a time word.

爸爸工作忙，睡眠不足。

Dad is busy with work and lacks sleep.

Two parallel descriptions.

你要休息，因为你睡眠不足。

You need to rest because you lack sleep.

Using 因为.

因为最近考试多，我感到睡眠不足。

Because of many exams recently, I feel a lack of sleep.

Using 感到 (to feel).

长期睡眠不足对身体不好。

Long-term sleep deprivation is bad for the body.

Using 长期 as a modifier.

你看起来睡眠不足，去睡一会儿吧。

You look like you lack sleep, go sleep for a bit.

Using 看起来 (looks like).

他因为睡眠不足，上课睡着了。

Because of lack of sleep, he fell asleep in class.

Resultative action.

睡眠不足会让你没有精神。

Lack of sleep will make you have no energy.

Using 会 (will) for prediction.

医生问我是否有睡眠不足的情况。

The doctor asked me if I have a situation of sleep deprivation.

Using 情况 (situation).

虽然他很累，但他不是睡眠不足。

Although he is tired, he doesn't lack sleep.

Contrast with 虽然...但是.

为了不睡眠不足，我每天十点睡觉。

In order not to lack sleep, I go to bed at 10 every day.

Using 为了 (in order to).

睡眠不足不仅影响学习，还影响健康。

Sleep deprivation not only affects study but also affects health.

Not only... but also (不仅...还).

由于经常加班，他出现了严重的睡眠不足。

Due to frequent overtime, he developed severe sleep deprivation.

Using 出现 (to appear/develop).

我们应该重视睡眠不足带来的危害。

We should attach importance to the hazards brought by sleep deprivation.

Using 带来的 (brought by) as a modifier.

如果你感到睡眠不足，最好不要开车。

If you feel sleep-deprived, it's best not to drive.

Giving advice with 最好.

很多学生因为压力大而导致睡眠不足。

Many students lack sleep due to high pressure.

Using 而导致 (and thus lead to).

改善睡眠不足的第一步是早点上床。

The first step to improve sleep deprivation is to get in bed earlier.

Noun phrase as a topic.

他通过运动来缓解睡眠不足带来的疲劳。

He uses exercise to relieve the fatigue caused by lack of sleep.

Using 通过...来 (through... to).

虽然睡眠不足，他还是坚持完成了工作。

Despite the lack of sleep, he still persisted in finishing the work.

Concession with 还是坚持.

睡眠不足已经成为了现代都市人的普遍问题。

Sleep deprivation has already become a common problem for modern city dwellers.

Present perfect sense with 已经...了.

研究表明，长期睡眠不足会损害免疫系统。

Research shows that long-term sleep deprivation damages the immune system.

Formal introduction with 研究表明.

由于睡眠不足，他的反应速度明显变慢了。

Due to sleep deprivation, his reaction speed has significantly slowed down.

Using 明显 (obviously/significantly).

家长们担心过重的课业负担会导致孩子睡眠不足。

Parents worry that excessive schoolwork will lead to children's sleep deprivation.

Complex object clause.

即便是在周末，他也无法弥补平时的睡眠不足。

Even on weekends, he cannot make up for the usual lack of sleep.

Using 即便...也 (even if).

他试图通过喝咖啡来掩盖睡眠不足带来的困倦。

He tries to mask the drowsiness caused by lack of sleep by drinking coffee.

Using 掩盖 (to mask/cover up).

睡眠不足不仅是个人问题，也是一个社会问题。

Sleep deprivation is not just a personal problem, but also a social one.

Parallel structure Not only A but also B.

为了应对睡眠不足，许多公司开始设立午休室。

To deal with sleep deprivation, many companies have started setting up nap rooms.

Using 应对 (to cope/deal with).

长期睡眠不足与多种慢性疾病的发生密切相关。

Chronic sleep deprivation is closely related to the occurrence of various chronic diseases.

Using 与...密切相关 (closely related to).

该报告详细分析了青少年睡眠不足的深层原因。

The report analyzed the deep-seated reasons for sleep deprivation in teenagers in detail.

Formal academic tone.

睡眠不足会引发认知功能障碍，影响决策能力。

Sleep deprivation can trigger cognitive dysfunction and affect decision-making ability.

Using 引发 (to trigger/initiate).

我们不能忽视睡眠不足对心理健康的潜在威胁。

We cannot ignore the potential threat of sleep deprivation to mental health.

Using 潜在威胁 (potential threat).

尽管意识到了睡眠不足的危害，很多人依然选择熬夜。

Despite being aware of the hazards of sleep deprivation, many people still choose to stay up late.

Using 尽管...依然 (despite... still).

睡眠不足可能导致情绪波动，甚至引发抑郁症。

Sleep deprivation may lead to emotional fluctuations and even trigger depression.

Using 甚至 (even).

在快节奏的社会中，睡眠不足似乎成了一种‘勋章’。

In a fast-paced society, sleep deprivation seems to have become a kind of 'medal'.

Metaphorical usage.

政府应出台政策，解决学生群体普遍睡眠不足的问题。

The government should issue policies to solve the general problem of sleep deprivation among students.

Using 出台政策 (to issue policies).

睡眠不足的本质是生物节奏与社会节奏之间的断裂。

The essence of sleep deprivation is the rupture between biological and social rhythms.

Philosophical/Abstract structure.

长期处于睡眠不足的状态，会使人的创造力逐渐枯竭。

Being in a state of sleep deprivation for a long time will cause one's creativity to gradually dry up.

Using 枯竭 (to dry up/be exhausted).

这种普遍的睡眠不足现象，折射出当代文明对效率的盲目追求。

This widespread sleep deprivation phenomenon reflects contemporary civilization's blind pursuit of efficiency.

Using 折射出 (to reflect/refract).

如果不能从根本上扭转睡眠不足的趋势，国民素质将受到影响。

If the trend of sleep deprivation cannot be fundamentally reversed, the quality of the citizenry will be affected.

Using 从根本上扭转 (to fundamentally reverse).

睡眠不足不仅剥夺了人的休息，更剥夺了人对生活的感知力。

Sleep deprivation not only deprives people of rest but, more importantly, of their perception of life.

Using 剥夺 (to deprive).

在资本的逻辑下，睡眠不足往往被美化为勤奋与奉献。

Under the logic of capital, sleep deprivation is often glorified as diligence and dedication.

Using 美化为 (to glorify as).

通过对睡眠不足的社会学考察，我们可以发现劳动力异化的痕迹。

Through a sociological investigation of sleep deprivation, we can find traces of labor alienation.

Academic sociological terminology.

睡眠不足所引发的连锁反应，其破坏力往往超乎想象。

The chain reaction triggered by sleep deprivation often has a destructive power beyond imagination.

Using 超乎想象 (beyond imagination).

Synonyms

缺觉失眠没睡够少眠熬夜困倦疲惫精力不足

Antonyms

睡眠充足精力充沛睡个好觉神清气爽

Common Collocations

严重睡眠不足

长期睡眠不足

导致睡眠不足

引起睡眠不足

改善睡眠不足

缓解睡眠不足

睡眠不足的情况

睡眠不足的危害

睡眠不足的症状

弥补睡眠不足

Common Phrases

睡眠不足是健康的大敌

— Sleep deprivation is a great enemy of health. Used to emphasize the importance of sleep.

我们要记住，睡眠不足是健康的大敌。

由于睡眠不足

— Due to lack of sleep. A standard way to start an explanation.

由于睡眠不足，他显得很憔悴。

克服睡眠不足

— To overcome sleep deprivation. Used when discussing solutions.

他正在努力克服睡眠不足的问题。

检测睡眠不足

— To detect sleep deprivation. Often used with smart devices.

手表可以检测你的睡眠不足。

普遍睡眠不足

— Widespread sleep deprivation. Used for social groups.

现代人普遍睡眠不足。

睡眠不足导致的后果

— Consequences caused by lack of sleep.

睡眠不足导致的后果非常严重。

预防睡眠不足

— To prevent sleep deprivation.

预防睡眠不足需要良好的作息。

睡眠不足的风险

— The risks of sleep deprivation.

我们要了解睡眠不足的风险。

承认睡眠不足

— To admit to a lack of sleep.

他终于承认自己睡眠不足。

针对睡眠不足

— Aimed at sleep deprivation (e.g., a treatment).

这是针对睡眠不足的建议。

Often Confused With

睡眠不足 vs 失眠 (shīmián)

Insomnia (cannot sleep) vs. Sleep deprivation (did not sleep enough).

睡眠不足 vs 熬夜 (áoyè)

The action of staying up late vs. the resulting state of lack of sleep.

睡眠不足 vs 疲劳 (píláo)

Fatigue (a feeling) vs. Lack of sleep (the cause).

Idioms & Expressions

"宵衣旰食"

— To wear clothes before dawn and eat after sunset. Describes working very hard and lacking sleep.

为了国家，他宵衣旰食，日理万机。

Literary/Archaic

"废寝忘食"

— To forget to sleep and eat. Describes being so engrossed in work or study that one ignores basic needs.

他为了写完这本书，废寝忘食地工作。

Neutral/Commendatory

"通宵达旦"

— Throughout the night until dawn. Describes staying up all night.

他们通宵达旦地讨论方案。

Formal

"目不交睫"

— The eyelids do not touch. To not sleep a wink.

忧心忡忡的他整晚目不交睫。

Literary

"熬心费力"

— To exhaust one's mind and energy. Often implies lack of rest.

这件事让他熬心费力。

Informal

"精疲力竭"

— Exhausted; worn out. The typical state after long-term sleep deprivation.

连续加班后，他感到精疲力竭。

Neutral

"昏昏欲睡"

— Drowsy; sleepy. The feeling you have when you lack sleep.

午后的阳光让他昏昏欲睡。

Neutral

"头重脚轻"

— Head heavy, feet light. Describes the dizzy feeling of severe sleep deprivation.

由于睡眠不足，他走起路来头重脚轻。

Neutral/Descriptive

"夜以继日"

— Night followed by day. Working around the clock.

科学家们夜以继日地进行实验。

Formal

"疲惫不堪"

— Extremely exhausted. A stronger version of 疲惫.

长途旅行让他疲惫不堪。

Neutral

Easily Confused

睡眠不足 vs 睡觉不足

Learners use the colloquial 'shuìjiào' with the formal 'bùzú'.

It is technically understandable but sounds non-native. '睡眠' is the correct formal noun.

应该说'睡眠不足'，而不是'睡觉不足'。

睡眠不足 vs 缺觉

Both mean lack of sleep.

缺觉 is very informal and spoken; 睡眠不足 is formal and written.

和朋友说'我缺觉'，写报告说'睡眠不足'。

睡眠不足 vs 困

Both relate to needing sleep.

困 is an adjective (sleepy). 睡眠不足 is a noun phrase (condition).

我很困，因为我睡眠不足。

睡眠不足 vs 睡眠质量差

Both result in being tired.

睡眠不足 is about quantity (time). 质量差 is about quality (how well).

他睡了十小时但睡眠质量差，所以还是很累。

睡眠不足 vs 嗜睡

Both are sleep issues.

嗜睡 is sleeping too much or being pathologically sleepy. 睡眠不足 is sleeping too little.

嗜睡症和睡眠不足是相反的问题。

Sentence Patterns

我 + 睡眠不足。

我睡眠不足。

因为 + [Reason] + 所以 + 睡眠不足。

因为加班，所以我睡眠不足。

睡眠不足 + 导致 + [Effect]。

睡眠不足导致头疼。

感到 + 严重的 + 睡眠不足。

他感到严重的睡眠不足。

长期 + 睡眠不足 + 对...有影响。

长期睡眠不足对大脑有影响。

由于 + 睡眠不足，[Sentence]。

由于睡眠不足，他没考好。

[Subject] + 存在 + 睡眠不足 + 的问题。

青少年存在睡眠不足的问题。

将...归结为 + 睡眠不足。

他将自己的失误归结为睡眠不足。

Word Family

Nouns

睡眠 (Sleep)

睡眠者 (Sleeper)

睡眠量 (Sleep volume)

Verbs

睡 (To sleep)

眠 (To close eyes/sleep)

不足 (To be insufficient)

Adjectives

足 (Sufficient)

不足的 (Insufficient)

失眠 (Insomnia)

嗜睡 (Hypersomnia)

补觉 (Catch up on sleep)

熬夜 (Stay up late)

梦 (Dream)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in health, news, and workplace discussions.

Common Mistakes

我很睡眠不足。 → 我睡眠不足。
不足 acts as a predicate; adding '很' directly before the whole phrase is grammatically redundant or awkward.
睡觉不足对身体不好。 → 睡眠不足对身体不好。
睡觉 is a verb (to sleep); 睡眠 is the formal noun (sleep). Use the noun with '不足'.
他失眠了，所以睡眠不足。 → 他因为失眠而导致睡眠不足。
The original is okay, but using '导致' or '引起' makes the relationship clearer in formal Chinese.
我睡眠不足了三天。 → 我连续三天睡眠不足。
You cannot 'verb' 睡眠不足 for a duration. You must say you were in that state for a duration.
睡眠不足的危害是很多。 → 睡眠不足的危害有很多。
Standard Chinese uses '有很多' to describe the existence of multiple consequences.

Tips

Word Order

When adding an adverb like 'serious' (严重), put it between the two words: 睡眠严重不足.

Politeness

Asking '你是不是睡眠不足？' is a very polite way to acknowledge someone looks tired without being rude.

Work Ethic

In some Chinese companies, being '睡眠不足' is seen as a sign of loyalty, though this is changing.

Suffix Mastery

Learn '不足' as a suffix. It will help you understand words like '营养不足' (malnutrition) and '动力不足' (lack of motivation).

Medical Use

If you go to a Chinese hospital, use this term to describe your symptoms accurately to the doctor.

Essay Hook

Starting an essay with '在现代社会，睡眠不足已成为...' is a classic and effective way to begin a discussion on health.

Tone Changes

Pay attention to the 4th tone of 'bù'. It is short and sharp.

Natural Flow

Don't over-pronounce each syllable; let 'shuìmián' flow into 'bùzú' smoothly.

Synonym Choice

Use '缺觉' for friends and '睡眠不足' for your boss or in writing.

Association

Associate this word with the color grey or a dark circle to remember its meaning.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'SHOE' (Shuì) that is 'MEAN' (Mián) because it 'BOO's (Bù) your 'ZOO' (Zú) visit because you are too tired to walk!

Visual Association

Visualize a battery icon that is only 10% full, with a person's head resting on a desk.

Word Web

Sleep Health Fatigue Brain Pressure Coffee Alarm Clock Dark Circles

Challenge

Try to use '睡眠不足' in a sentence to explain why you were late to a meeting or missed a deadline.

Word Origin

The term is a modern compound. '睡眠' dates back to ancient texts like the 'Zhuangzi', while '不足' is a classical Chinese negation of sufficiency.

Original meaning: Insufficient state of closing eyes and nodding off.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be careful not to sound like you are accusing someone of being lazy; it's usually viewed as a symptom of being overworked.

Western cultures focus more on 'Sleep Hygiene,' whereas Chinese contexts often frame it as a sacrifice for success.

The 996 debate in China. World Sleep Day campaigns. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views on sleep and liver health.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Doctor's Appointment

我最近睡眠不足
这种情况持续多久了？
会影响我的身体吗？
怎么改善睡眠不足？

Office Conversation

你看起来睡眠不足
昨晚加班太晚了
我需要喝点咖啡
周末打算补觉

School/University

考试周睡眠不足
作业太多了
我在课上睡着了
我们要保证睡眠

Health Seminar

睡眠不足的危害
建立健康的作息
睡眠不足与肥胖
保证八小时睡眠

Social Media

睡眠不足的打工人
黑眼圈太重了
又是睡眠不足的一天
熬最晚的夜

Conversation Starters

"你最近是不是睡眠不足？你看上去很累。"

"你觉得睡眠不足对你的工作有影响吗？"

"如果睡眠不足，你通常会喝咖啡吗？"

"你有什么好办法可以改善睡眠不足吗？"

"在你的国家，学生普遍睡眠不足吗？"

Journal Prompts

记录一下你上一次感到严重睡眠不足的经历。当时发生了什么？

你认为现代社会为什么会有这么多人睡眠不足？

写出三个改善你目前睡眠不足情况的小计划。

描述一下睡眠不足时，你的身体和情绪会有什么样的变化。

你认为‘牺牲睡眠来换取成功’这种想法对吗？为什么？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is better to say '睡眠严重不足' or '感到非常睡眠不足.' Using '很' directly before it (我很睡眠不足) sounds slightly awkward because '不足' already functions as a predicate.

Yes, it is used in medical contexts to diagnose sleep debt, but it is also widely used in daily life.

'睡眠不足' means you didn't sleep enough hours. '没睡好' means the sleep you had was of poor quality.

You can say '我最近缺觉' (wǒ zuìjìn quē jiào) or '我没睡够' (wǒ méi shuì gòu).

You can use it with many nouns: 经验不足 (lack of experience), 信心不足 (lack of confidence), 资金不足 (lack of funds).

They usually say '我好困' or '我没睡够.' '睡眠不足' is more likely to be used by their parents or teachers.

No, it is a noun phrase. You use verbs like '感到' (feel) or '导致' (lead to) with it.

The most common causes are academic pressure (students) and '996' work culture (employees).

It is almost always negative, though sometimes people use it to show how hard they are working.

It's 'bù' (4th tone) and 'zú' (2nd tone). Make sure 'zú' sounds like 'zoo' but with a rising pitch.