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A2 noun Neutral 1 min read

午睡

wunian /wu²⁵ shi⁴⁴/
Practice it

Taking a short nap in the afternoon is a common way to recharge.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • A short sleep during the afternoon.
  • Helps to refresh and boost energy.
  • Commonly practiced in many cultures.

Overview

午睡，顾名思义，是在中午或下午进行的短暂睡眠。这种习惯在许多文化中都很普遍，尤其是在炎热或工作节奏快的地区。午睡的时间长短不一，从十几分钟到一两个小时不等，目的是为了在一天的工作或学习间隙进行休息和充电。

午睡通常作为一种主动的休息方式，而不是被动的睡眠。人们可能会选择在家里、办公室的休息区，或者学校的午休时间进行午睡。午睡的时长也很关键，过长可能会导致醒来后昏昏沉沉，影响晚上的睡眠质量。

午睡最常出现在以下场景：

**旅行**：在长途旅行中，为了应对时差或保持精力，人们也可能进行午睡。

与“午睡”相似的词语包括“小睡”、“打盹”。

  • 小睡：含义与午睡非常接近，指短时间的睡眠，不一定局限于中午。
  • 打盹：通常指非常短暂、不经意的睡眠，可能是在不适宜睡眠的场合，比如开会时或看电视时睡着了，带有一定的随意性。

午睡则更侧重于利用午后时段进行的、有计划的休息性睡眠。

Examples

1

我午饭后习惯午睡半小时。

everyday

I usually take a half-hour nap after lunch.

2

为了保证下午的会议精力充沛，他决定在午休时间进行短暂午睡。

work

To ensure he was energetic for the afternoon meeting, he decided to take a short nap during his lunch break.

3

天气太热了，我只想在空调房里午睡。

informal

It's too hot today, I just want to nap in the air-conditioned room.

4

研究表明，适度的午睡有助于提升认知功能。

academic

Studies suggest that moderate napping can help improve cognitive functions.

Common Collocations

午睡时间 nap time
午睡习惯 napping habit
短暂午睡 short nap
午睡质量 nap quality

Common Phrases

睡个午觉

take a nap

午睡时间到了

It's time for a nap

不午睡

not nap / skip the nap

Often Confused With

午睡 vs 打盹
'打盹' (dǎdǔn) often implies a brief, sometimes unintentional doze, perhaps falling asleep briefly while doing something else. '午睡' (wǔshuì) is more intentional and usually refers to a planned sleep during the afternoon.
午睡 vs 小睡
'小睡' (xiǎoshuì) is a general term for a short sleep, similar to 'nap'. '午睡' specifically refers to a nap taken in the afternoon.

Grammar Patterns

Subject + 午睡 + (Duration) Subject + 习惯 + 午睡 Subject + 想要/需要 + 午睡

How to Use It

Usage Notes

午睡 is a common and neutral term. It is widely understood and used in everyday conversation, school settings, and even in some workplaces. The term is generally informal to neutral in register.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse '午睡' with sleeping at night. Remember, '午睡' specifically refers to daytime napping. Also, avoid using it for very long sleeps; 'long sleep' would be '睡眠' (shuìmián) or '睡觉' (shuìjiào).

Tips

💡

Make your nap effective

Keep your afternoon nap short, ideally 15-30 minutes. Find a quiet, dark place to maximize rest.
⚠️

Avoid long naps

Napping for too long, especially late in the afternoon, can lead to grogginess and disrupt nighttime sleep.
🌍

Cultural significance of siesta

In some cultures, like Spain and Latin America, 'siesta' (an afternoon nap) is a traditional part of the daily routine, often linked to midday heat.

Word Origin

The word '午睡' is a compound of '午' (wǔ), meaning 'noon' or 'afternoon' (specifically the hour between 11 AM and 1 PM), and '睡' (shuì), meaning 'to sleep'. It literally translates to 'afternoon sleep'.

Cultural Context

The practice of napping, or 'siesta', is culturally significant in many warmer climates where the hottest part of the day is traditionally a time for rest. While not universally practiced in modern China, it remains a common and accepted form of rest.

Memory Tip

Think of '午' (noon/afternoon) and '睡' (sleep). It's sleep that happens in the afternoon! Like a 'noon-sleep'.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions
一般来说，15-30分钟的午睡最为理想，可以有效恢复精力，且不易影响晚间睡眠。超过30分钟的午睡可能会让人在醒来后感到昏沉。
午睡的好处包括提高警觉性、改善情绪、增强记忆力以及提升下午的工作或学习表现。它是一种有效的减压方式。
对于有入睡困难或睡眠障碍的人来说，下午晚些时候的午睡可能会干扰夜间睡眠。此外，如果午睡时间过长，也可能导致醒来后精神不振。
午睡特指在中午或下午进行的睡眠，通常是计划好的休息。小睡的含义更广泛，指任何短时间的睡眠，不一定在午后，可能更随意。

Test Yourself

fill blank

我今天感觉有点累，想在下午______一会儿。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 午睡

根据语境“下午…一会儿”以及“感觉有点累”，表示在下午进行短暂休息睡眠的词是“午睡”。

multiple choice

下列哪个选项最能描述“午睡”？

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 白天中午短暂的睡眠

午睡的定义就是在白天，通常是午餐后进行的短暂睡眠。

sentence building

构成一个关于午睡的句子。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 午睡可以恢复精力。

这是一个简单的主谓宾结构，说明了午睡的主要作用。

Score: /3

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