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A2 noun #3,500 most common 14 min read

困倦

kunjuan Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 困倦 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 困倦 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to understand that '困倦' (kùnjuàn) is a more formal way to say '困' (kùn), which means 'sleepy'. You might see it on a sign or hear it in a very polite conversation. Think of it as 'I am sleepy' vs 'I am feeling weary'. At this stage, just focus on recognizing the word. You don't need to use it in your own speech yet; '我困了' (Wǒ kùn le) is perfectly fine for your daily needs. If you see '困倦' in a text, just remember it has to do with needing sleep or being very tired. It is composed of the character for 'trapped' (困) and 'tired' (倦). Imagine someone who is so tired they feel trapped by their own heavy eyelids. This simple mental image will help you remember the basic meaning as you start your Chinese journey.

At the A2 level, you should begin to recognize '困倦' (kùnjuàn) in short texts, such as health advice or simple stories. You are learning to describe your feelings more accurately, and '困倦' is a great addition to your vocabulary for 'feelings'. You can use the pattern '感到困倦' (gǎndào kùnjuàn) to say you feel sleepy. For example, '上完课，我感到很困倦' (After class, I feel very sleepy). This sounds a bit more 'grown-up' than just saying '我困了'. You might also see this word in warnings, like '困倦时不要开车' (Don't drive when sleepy). Understanding this word helps you navigate safety signs and more descriptive conversations about daily life and work-life balance.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use '困倦' (kùnjuàn) in appropriate contexts, especially in writing. You should understand the difference between '累' (tired), '困' (sleepy), and '困倦' (weary/fatigued). '困倦' is often used to describe a state that results from a specific cause, like '由于长途旅行，他感到非常困倦' (Due to the long-distance trip, he felt very weary). You can also use it to describe the atmosphere of a place or a time of day, like a '困倦的午后' (a sleepy afternoon). At this level, you should also be aware of common collocations like '消除困倦' (to eliminate fatigue) or '带着困倦' (with weariness). You are moving beyond simple sentences into more descriptive and nuanced language.

At the B2 level, '困倦' (kùnjuàn) should be a natural part of your descriptive vocabulary. You should be able to use it in formal reports, essays, and complex discussions. You understand its role as both a noun and an adjective. For example, you might discuss the '困倦感' (feeling of fatigue) in a workplace safety report. You are also able to distinguish it from more clinical terms like '疲劳' (píláo) or more intense terms like '疲惫' (píbèi). You can use it metaphorically or in more abstract ways, such as describing a '困倦的灵魂' (a weary soul) in a literary analysis. Your ability to pick '困倦' over simpler synonyms shows that you have a good grasp of Chinese register and tone.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the nuances of '困倦' (kùnjuàn). you can appreciate its use in high-level literature and academic writing. You might encounter it in philosophical texts or complex psychological studies on sleep and human behavior. You are comfortable using it in various grammatical positions and pairing it with sophisticated adverbs like '袭来' (to sweep over), as in '一阵困倦袭来' (a wave of sleepiness swept over him). You understand the cultural implications of the word, such as its use in describing the 'involution' (内卷) and resulting fatigue in modern Chinese society. Your use of the word is precise, fitting the specific emotional and physical state you wish to convey.

At the C2 level, '困倦' (kùnjuàn) is a tool for subtle expression. You can use it to create specific atmospheres in creative writing or to provide highly professional analysis in a medical or sociological context. You understand the historical development of the characters '困' and '倦' and how their combination has evolved in the Chinese language. You can use the word in puns, complex idioms, or to critique subtle social phenomena. You are aware of how '困倦' interacts with other sophisticated vocabulary to create a rich, textured narrative. Your mastery is such that you can use the word in a way that sounds entirely native, whether you are writing a poem or a technical white paper on public health.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

困倦 in 30 Seconds

困倦 (kùnjuàn) means sleepiness or fatigue, combining 'sleepy' (困) and 'tired' (倦).
It is a formal/literary term used to describe a deep state of weariness.
Commonly used with verbs like '感到' (feel) and '消除' (eliminate).
Often found in safety warnings, medical contexts, and descriptive literature.

The Chinese word 困倦 (kùnjuàn) is a sophisticated term that captures the essence of deep sleepiness and physical fatigue. While beginners often learn the simple word 累 (lèi) for 'tired' or 困 (kùn) for 'sleepy', 困倦 sits at a higher register, often used in literature, formal writing, and descriptive speech to convey a state where one is overcome by the need for rest. It is a compound noun and adjective formed by two characters: 困, meaning trapped or weary, and 倦, meaning tired or exhausted. Together, they create a vivid image of a person whose energy has been entirely drained, leaving them in a heavy, lethargic state. This word is particularly useful when you want to describe a feeling that is more intense than just being 'a bit tired' after a walk; it describes the heavy-lidded, bone-deep weariness that follows a long night of study or a grueling double shift at work.

Grammatical Function: In modern Mandarin, 困倦 primarily functions as an adjective describing a state of being, but it can also act as a noun representing the abstract concept of fatigue itself. For instance, one might say '感到困倦' (feeling sleepy) or '由于困倦' (due to fatigue).

长途跋涉后，他脸上写满了困倦。(After the long trek, his face was written with fatigue.)

This term is frequently encountered in psychological contexts or health-related discussions. When a doctor asks about your sleep patterns, they might use 困倦 to refer to daytime somnolence. In literature, authors use it to set a somber or quiet mood, describing a protagonist who is too weary to continue their struggle. It evokes a sense of heaviness—the heavy limbs, the blurred vision, and the slow cognitive processing that accompanies true exhaustion. Unlike the colloquial '我困了' (I'm sleepy), which is a direct demand for a nap, 困倦 is more of an observation of one's physical and mental state. It is the difference between saying 'I need to sleep' and 'I am currently experiencing a profound state of weariness.'

Common Contexts: You will see this word in medical brochures discussing sleep apnea, in novels describing a soldier's return from the front, or in news reports about the dangers of fatigued driving (困倦驾驶).

咖啡可以暂时缓解你的困倦。(Coffee can temporarily alleviate your sleepiness.)

Furthermore, 困倦 has a certain poetic quality. It can describe the atmosphere of a lazy Sunday afternoon or the quiet stillness of a late-night library. It is not always negative; sometimes it describes the peaceful exhaustion after a productive day. However, in most professional and academic settings, it remains a neutral, descriptive term for a biological state. Understanding the nuance of 困倦 allows a learner to move beyond basic survival Chinese into the realm of expressive and accurate communication.

Register and Tone: The register is middle-to-high. It is not overly formal like '疲惫不堪' but certainly more elegant than '想睡觉'. It is appropriate for workplace reports, medical consultations, and literary descriptions.

虽然他很困倦，但还是坚持完成了任务。(Although he was very weary, he still insisted on completing the task.)

午后的阳光让人感到一阵强烈的困倦。(The afternoon sun makes one feel a strong sense of sleepiness.)

In summary, 困倦 is a versatile word that bridges the gap between everyday physiological needs and descriptive literary expression. It encompasses both the physical urge to close one's eyes and the psychological weight of being worn out. By mastering this word, you gain the ability to describe the human condition of fatigue with greater depth and accuracy.

Using 困倦 (kùnjuàn) correctly requires an understanding of its typical collocations and grammatical structures. It most commonly follows verbs of feeling or perception, such as 感到 (gǎndào - to feel) or 觉得 (juéde - to think/feel). Because it describes a state, it is often modified by adverbs of degree like 非常 (fēicháng - very), 及其 (jíqí - extremely), or 略显 (lüèxiǎn - slightly showing). When used in a sentence, it often serves as the predicate or part of a descriptive phrase that explains the subject's condition.

The 'Feeling' Pattern: Subject + 感到/觉得 + (Degree Adverb) + 困倦. This is the most standard way to express that someone is sleepy or fatigued. Example: '学生们在下午的课上感到困倦' (The students feel sleepy in the afternoon class).

熬夜工作后，他感到异常困倦。(After working all night, he felt exceptionally weary.)

Another common usage is as a noun that can be the object of a verb like 消除 (xiāochú - to eliminate), 缓解 (huǎnjiě - to alleviate), or 抵抗 (dǐkàng - to resist). This is very common in health and wellness contexts. For example, '喝杯咖啡可以消除困倦' (Drinking a cup of coffee can eliminate sleepiness). Here, 困倦 is treated as a condition that can be managed or cured. This usage is more formal than the simple adjective form and is often found in instructional or medical texts.

Descriptive Appearance: Subject + 带着/满脸 + 困倦. This structure is more literary. Example: '她带着满脸的困倦走进了办公室' (She walked into the office with a face full of fatigue).

司机的困倦是导致车祸的主要原因。(The driver's fatigue was the primary cause of the accident.)

In complex sentences, 困倦 can be the reason for an action, often preceded by 因为 (yīnwèi - because) or 由于 (yóuyú - due to). This is common in news reporting or formal explanations. For instance, '由于感到困倦，他不得不停下来休息' (Due to feeling sleepy, he had to stop and rest). Notice how 困倦 provides a more serious tone than if the speaker had used '累'. It implies a physical state that is difficult to overcome and necessitates a change in behavior.

The 'Result' Pattern: Verb + 得 + 困倦. This is less common but used to show that an activity resulted in sleepiness. Example: '这本枯燥的书看的人昏昏欲睡，十分困倦' (Reading this boring book makes one drowsy and very weary).

长时间的会议让人感到莫名的困倦。(The long meeting made people feel an inexplicable sleepiness.)

Finally, 困倦 can be used to describe non-human entities in a metaphorical sense, such as a '困倦的城市' (a sleepy city) or '困倦的午后' (a weary afternoon). This personification adds a layer of atmosphere to creative writing. By using 困倦 in these various structures, you demonstrate a high level of linguistic control and an ability to adapt your Chinese to different social and professional contexts.

在困倦中，他渐渐进入了梦乡。(In his weariness, he gradually drifted into dreamland.)

While 困倦 (kùnjuàn) might not be the first word out of a child's mouth when they want to nap, it is ubiquitous in the adult world in China. You will hear it most frequently in professional environments, media, and formal social interactions. One of the most common places is on public transport or in safety announcements. For example, highway signs often warn drivers: '严禁困倦驾驶' (Fatigued driving is strictly prohibited) or '困倦请到服务区休息' (If feeling sleepy, please rest at the service area). In these instances, the word carries a weight of legal and safety importance that the casual '困' (kùn) does not.

News and Media: In news broadcasts, especially those focusing on public health or labor conditions, 困倦 is used to describe the state of the workforce. You might hear reports on '职场困倦' (workplace fatigue/burnout) or how lack of sleep leads to chronic 困倦.

新闻报道中经常提到，长期加班会导致严重的困倦。(News reports often mention that long-term overtime leads to severe fatigue.)

In the medical and wellness industry, 困倦 is the standard term for somnolence. If you visit a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) doctor, they might ask if you suffer from '精神不振' (lack of spirit) or '经常困倦' (frequent sleepiness). In this context, it is a symptom to be diagnosed. Similarly, on the side of a medicine bottle—especially for cold and flu medicine—you will see warnings like '服药后可能产生困倦感' (May cause a feeling of sleepiness after taking this medicine). This is the 'official' language of side effects.

Office and Workplace: During a long afternoon meeting, a colleague might lean over and whisper, '我也觉得有点困倦' (I also feel a bit weary). It sounds slightly more professional and less 'lazy' than saying you want to sleep.

在连续工作了12小时后，他的声音里充满了困倦。(After working for 12 hours straight, his voice was full of weariness.)

You will also encounter this word in literary works, from classical modern novels to contemporary web fiction. Authors use 困倦 to describe the atmosphere of a scene—perhaps a dusty road under a hot sun or the heavy air of a stuffy room. It is a word that appeals to the senses, helping the reader feel the weight of the character's eyelids and the slowing of their thoughts. In educational settings, teachers might note a student's 困倦 as a sign of overstudy or lack of discipline, often using it in written reports to parents.

Advertising: Energy drink advertisements (like Red Bull) often use 困倦 as the 'enemy' that their product helps you defeat. '告别困倦，焕发精神' (Say goodbye to fatigue, rejuvenate your spirit).

这款茶能帮你缓解工作中的困倦。(This tea can help you alleviate weariness at work.)

In summary, while 困倦 is not the word for a quick 'I'm tired' at home, it is the essential word for describing fatigue in the public, professional, and literary spheres of Chinese life. Hearing it usually signals a shift to a more descriptive or serious discussion about one's physical state.

For English speakers, the most common mistake with 困倦 (kùnjuàn) is using it in contexts that are too informal or using it as a direct replacement for 'tired' (累 - lèi). While they are related, they are not interchangeable. One of the primary errors is over-relying on 困倦 when a simpler word would suffice. For example, if you just woke up and feel a bit groggy, saying '我很困倦' to your roommate sounds a bit like you're reading from a textbook. In that case, '我还没醒' (I'm not awake yet) or '我很困' (I'm sleepy) is much more natural.

Confusion with '累' (Lèi): '累' refers to physical or mental exhaustion from effort. '困倦' specifically refers to the sleepy, weary state. You can be '累' without being '困倦' (e.g., after a gym session, you might be exhausted but wide awake). Using 困倦 when you mean you are physically spent from exercise is a common semantic error.

错误：跑完五公里后，我感到很困倦。(Wrong: After running 5km, I feel very sleepy/weary - unless you're actually falling asleep!)

Another mistake involves grammatical structure. English speakers often try to use 困倦 as a verb, saying something like '这个电影困倦了我' (This movie sleepied me). In Chinese, 困倦 is an adjective or noun, not a causative verb. You must use a construction like '让人感到困倦' (makes people feel sleepy). Forgetting the '感到' (feel) or '觉得' (think/feel) often makes the sentence sound incomplete or grammatically 'foreign'.

Misunderstanding the Intensity: Using 困倦 for a very mild feeling of sleepiness is an exaggeration. It's like saying 'I am suffering from profound somnolence' when you just want a coffee. Save 困倦 for when the fatigue is noticeable or significant.

更正：我只是有点困，不是那种极度的困倦。(Correction: I'm just a bit sleepy, not that kind of extreme fatigue.)

Confusion also arises between 困倦 and 疲劳 (píláo). 疲劳 is a more clinical or formal term for fatigue, often used in physics (metal fatigue) or sports science. 困倦 is more focused on the *sleepy* aspect of fatigue. If you are describing the feeling of needing to close your eyes, 困倦 is better. If you are describing the physiological state of your muscles being worn out, 疲劳 is more appropriate. Using 疲劳 to describe how you feel during a boring lecture is technically okay but sounds a bit too scientific; 困倦 is the better fit for that specific 'bored-sleepy' vibe.

Incorrect Collocations: Avoid saying things like '非常困倦的作业' (very weary homework). Homework isn't weary; the person doing it is. You should say '做作业让我感到困倦' (Doing homework makes me feel weary).

注意：不要把困倦和“无聊”混淆，虽然它们经常一起出现。(Note: Don't confuse 'weariness' with 'boredom', though they often appear together.)

Finally, learners sometimes mispronounce the second character. 倦 is juàn (fourth tone). Mispronouncing it as juǎn (third tone) can lead to confusion with 'roll' or 'curly'. Practice the falling tone to ensure you are clearly communicating 'fatigue' rather than 'rolling sleepiness'. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you will use 困倦 with the naturalness and precision of a native speaker.

To truly master the concept of fatigue in Chinese, you need to know the alternatives to 困倦 (kùnjuàn) and when to use them. Chinese is rich in synonyms that describe different 'shades' of being tired. Depending on whether you are sleepy, physically exhausted, or mentally drained, there is a specific word that fits the bill better than others.

困倦 vs. 疲倦 (Píjuàn): These two are very close. However, 困倦 emphasizes the 'sleepy' aspect (the 困 part), while 疲倦 emphasizes the 'exhausted' aspect (the 疲 part). If you are tired from working all day but not necessarily about to fall asleep, 疲倦 is better. If your eyes are closing, 困倦 is the winner.

他感到非常疲倦，但由于压力大，他并不困倦。(He feels very exhausted, but due to high stress, he isn't sleepy.)

Another common alternative is 疲劳 (píláo). This word is more formal and often used in medical, scientific, or technical contexts. It describes a physiological state of fatigue. You'll see it in terms like '视觉疲劳' (visual fatigue/eye strain) or '肌肉疲劳' (muscle fatigue). Unlike 困倦, which is subjective and felt, 疲劳 can be an objective condition of a system or a body part.

困倦 vs. 疲惫 (Píbèi): 疲惫 is a much stronger word. It implies being 'exhausted' or 'worn out' to the point of collapse. While 困倦 might be fixed with a 20-minute nap, 疲惫 often requires a long vacation or a significant lifestyle change. It describes a deeper, more pervasive exhaustion.

连续一个月的加班让他感到身心疲惫。(Continuous overtime for a month left him physically and mentally exhausted.)

For a more colloquial setting, you would use 困 (kùn). This is the 'A1' level word that every learner starts with. It is a simple adjective meaning 'sleepy'. In daily conversation, 90% of the time, 困 is what you want. '我困了' (I'm sleepy) is the standard way to tell your partner you're going to bed. Using 困倦 in this situation would sound overly dramatic or formal, like saying 'I am experiencing a wave of fatigue' instead of 'I'm tired'.

Summary Table

困 (kùn): Basic, informal, 'sleepy'.
困倦 (kùnjuàn): Descriptive, formal/literary, 'sleepiness/weariness'.
疲劳 (píláo): Clinical, technical, 'fatigue'.
疲惫 (píbèi): Intense, 'exhausted/spent'.
乏力 (fálì): Medical, 'weakness/lack of energy'.

他虽然不觉得累，但眼里的困倦是藏不住的。(Although he doesn't feel tired, the sleepiness in his eyes cannot be hidden.)

In creative writing, you might also see 慵懒 (yōnglǎn), which describes a 'lazy' or 'indolent' kind of sleepiness, often used for a cat sunning itself or a person on a relaxed holiday. This is a 'positive' or 'neutral' version of fatigue. In contrast, 困倦 almost always implies a weight or a burden that needs to be relieved. Choosing the right word among these options will make your Chinese sound nuanced and sophisticated.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '困' is part of the 'I Ching' (Book of Changes), representing 'Oppression' or 'Exhaustion', showing how deeply rooted this concept is in Chinese philosophy.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kʰu̯ən⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyɛn⁵¹/

US /kʰu̯ən⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyɛn⁵¹/

Both syllables carry the fourth (falling) tone, giving equal weight to each.

Rhymes With

顺 (shùn) 嫩 (nèn) 问 (wèn) 变 (biàn) 面 (miàn) 现 (xiàn) 练 (liàn) 愿 (yuàn)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'juan' as 'jwan' with a flat tone.
Misinterpreting the fourth tone as a third tone (low-dipping).
Failing to aspirate the 'k' in 'kun'.
Pronouncing 'u' in 'kun' like the English 'sun' instead of 'oo'.
Mixing up 'juan' with 'jian'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Recognizable at A2/B1 level due to common radicals.

Writing 4/5

The character '倦' is somewhat complex to write correctly.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward with fourth tones.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with '疲倦' or '困' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

困累感到睡觉疲劳

Learn Next

疲惫乏力倦怠精神缓解

Advanced

萎靡不振精疲力竭昏昏欲睡身心俱疲神清气爽

Grammar to Know

Adverbs of degree

他感到‘非常’困倦。

Causative '让'

这种天气‘让’人感到困倦。

Resultative complements

他累‘得’非常困倦。

Conjunction '由于'

‘由于’困倦，他睡着了。

Descriptive complements

他困倦‘地’打了个哈欠。

Examples by Level

我很困倦。

I am very weary.

Simple subject + adverb + adjective structure.

你不困倦吗？

Are you not weary?

Interrogative sentence using '吗'.

妈妈很困倦。

Mom is very weary.

Basic SVC sentence.

他看起来很困倦。

He looks very weary.

Using '看起来' (looks like).

因为困倦，我想睡觉。

Because of weariness, I want to sleep.

Using '因为' to show cause.

太困倦了，不能看书。

Too weary, cannot read books.

Using '太...了' for emphasis.

老师也很困倦。

The teacher is also very weary.

Using '也' (also).

再困倦也要学习。

Even if weary, still must study.

Using '再...也' (no matter how... still).

长时间开车会让人感到困倦。

Driving for a long time will make people feel weary.

Using '让人感到' (make people feel).

虽然很困倦，但他还是坚持工作。

Although very weary, he still insisted on working.

Using '虽然...还是' (although... still).

午饭后，学生们感到一阵困倦。

After lunch, the students felt a wave of weariness.

Using '一阵' as a classifier for feelings.

这种药可能会引起困倦。

This medicine might cause weariness.

Using '引起' (to cause).

他带着满脸的困倦回到了家。

He returned home with a face full of weariness.

Descriptive phrase '带着满脸的...'.

消除困倦的最好方法是睡觉。

The best way to eliminate weariness is to sleep.

Using '消除' (to eliminate).

由于困倦，他没听清老师的话。

Due to weariness, he didn't hear the teacher clearly.

Using '由于' (due to) in a formal way.

如果你感到困倦，就休息一下。

If you feel weary, just take a rest.

Using '如果...就' (if... then).

深秋的午后，阳光让人倍感困倦。

In the late autumn afternoon, the sunlight makes one feel even more weary.

Using '倍感' (to feel even more).

他强忍着困倦，完成了最后的报告。

He suppressed his weariness and finished the final report.

Using '强忍着' (to suppress/endure).

这种困倦感不仅仅是因为缺觉。

This feeling of weariness is not just because of lack of sleep.

Using '不仅仅是' (not just).

会议进行到一半，他已经困倦不堪了。

Halfway through the meeting, he was already extremely weary.

Using '...不堪' for extreme states.

咖啡的香气暂时驱散了他的困倦。

The aroma of coffee temporarily dispelled his weariness.

Using '驱散' (to dispel).

他的声音中透着一丝难以掩饰的困倦。

His voice revealed a hint of weariness that was hard to hide.

Using '透着' (to reveal/show).

为了抵抗困倦，他站起来走动了几圈。

To resist weariness, he stood up and walked around a few times.

Using '为了' to show purpose.

长途飞行后的困倦往往需要几天才能恢复。

Weariness after a long flight often takes a few days to recover from.

Using '往往' (often) to describe a general rule.

现代社会的快节奏生活常使人陷入困倦。

The fast-paced life of modern society often plunges people into weariness.

Using '使人陷入' (make people fall into).

这种慢节奏的音乐听起来令人困倦。

This slow-paced music sounds weary-inducing.

Using '令人' (make someone...).

他试图通过冷水洗脸来缓解困倦。

He tried to alleviate his weariness by washing his face with cold water.

Using '通过...来' (through... to).

困倦的眼神出卖了他昨晚熬夜的事实。

His weary eyes betrayed the fact that he stayed up late last night.

Using '出卖' metaphorically as 'to betray/reveal'.

在这种困倦的状态下，很难做出正确的决策。

In this state of weariness, it is difficult to make correct decisions.

Using '在...状态下' (under the state of).

文章描述了一个困倦而忧郁的冬日午后。

The article described a weary and melancholy winter afternoon.

Using '困倦' as a literary adjective for time.

由于身体虚弱，他经常感到莫名的困倦。

Due to physical weakness, he often feels an inexplicable weariness.

Using '莫名的' (inexplicable).

我们必须正视职场困倦对员工健康的负面影响。

We must face the negative impact of workplace fatigue on employee health.

Using '正视' (to face squarely).

一阵深深的困倦如潮水般向他袭来。

A wave of deep weariness swept over him like a tide.

Simile using '如...般' and '袭来'.

他在困倦的边缘挣扎，努力保持清醒。

He struggled on the edge of weariness, striving to stay awake.

Using '在...边缘挣扎' (struggling on the edge of).

这种困倦并非来自体力消耗，而是心理上的疲惫。

This weariness does not come from physical exertion but from psychological exhaustion.

Using '并非...而是' (not... but rather).

在这部小说中，困倦象征着对现实生活的逃避。

In this novel, weariness symbolizes an escape from real life.

Using '象征着' (symbolizes).

他那困倦的语调显示出他早已失去了耐心。

His weary tone showed that he had long since lost his patience.

Using '显示出' (to show/reveal).

长期的精神压力会导致一种无法排解的困倦。

Long-term mental stress can lead to an unresolvable weariness.

Using '无法排解' (unresolvable/unrelievable).

尽管环境嘈杂，他还是被困倦征服了。

Despite the noisy environment, he was still conquered by weariness.

Using '被...征服' (conquered by).

这种药物的副作用之一就是引起持续性的困倦。

One of the side effects of this drug is causing persistent weariness.

Using '持续性的' (persistent).

在这个困倦的时代，人们似乎对一切都失去了兴趣。

In this weary era, people seem to have lost interest in everything.

Using '困倦' to describe an era/zeitgeist.

他的文字中流露出一股淡淡的、属于世纪末的困倦。

His writing exudes a faint, fin-de-siècle weariness.

Using '流露' (to exude/reveal) and historical context.

这种困倦是灵魂深处的呐喊，是对无意义劳动的抗议。

This weariness is a cry from the depths of the soul, a protest against meaningless labor.

Metaphorical and philosophical usage.

他试图解析这种困倦背后的生理与心理机制。

He attempted to analyze the physiological and psychological mechanisms behind this weariness.

Academic phrasing '解析...背后的机制'.

在极致的困倦中，现实与梦境的界限变得模糊了。

In extreme weariness, the boundaries between reality and dreams become blurred.

Using '极致的' (extreme) and '模糊' (blurred).

困倦并非懒惰的同义词，而是一种生命力的暂时枯竭。

Weariness is not a synonym for laziness, but a temporary depletion of vitality.

Philosophical definition using '并非...而是'.

他以一种近乎困倦的优雅处理着这些琐事。

He handled these trivial matters with a grace that was almost weary.

Oxymoron/complex description '近乎困倦的优雅'.

这种集体的困倦揭示了社会结构的某种深层危机。

This collective weariness reveals a certain deep-seated crisis in the social structure.

Sociological analysis using '揭示' (to reveal).

Common Collocations

感到困倦

消除困倦

极度困倦

带着困倦

满脸困倦

困倦驾驶

引起困倦

缓解困倦

莫名的困倦

深深的困倦

Common Phrases

困倦不堪

— Extremely weary, to the point of not being able to bear it.

工作了一整天，他已经困倦不堪。

产生困倦

— To produce or develop a feeling of sleepiness.

这种环境容易让人产生困倦。

抵抗困倦

— To fight against the feeling of being sleepy.

他在努力抵抗困倦。

消除困倦感

— To get rid of the feeling of weariness.

洗个澡能消除困倦感。

由于困倦

— Because of weariness/fatigue.

由于困倦，他开车时差点睡着。

略显困倦

— To look slightly weary.

他的脸色略显困倦。

摆脱困倦

— To break free from sleepiness.

运动能帮你摆脱困倦。

抵御困倦

— To ward off sleepiness.

喝点咖啡来抵御困倦吧。

困倦袭来

— Sleepiness sweeping over or attacking someone.

夜深了，困倦渐渐袭来。

强忍困倦

— To force oneself to endure sleepiness.

他强忍困倦，坚持看完了书。

Often Confused With

困倦 vs 疲劳

Píláo is more clinical/physical; Kùnjuàn is more about sleepiness.

困倦 vs 疲倦

Píjuàn is very similar but emphasizes exhaustion more than sleepiness.

困倦 vs 困顿

Kùndùn refers to being in a difficult situation or extreme poverty/exhaustion.

Idioms & Expressions

"昏昏欲睡"

— Dizzy and wanting to sleep; very drowsy.

这堂课听得我昏昏欲睡。

Neutral

"精疲力竭"

— Spirit exhausted and strength used up; utterly spent.

长跑之后，他精疲力竭。

Formal

"疲惫不堪"

— Extremely exhausted and weary.

连续加班让他疲惫不堪。

Formal

"无精打采"

— Listless; out of sorts; lacking energy.

他今天看起来无精打采的。

Informal

"神情倦怠"

— Looking weary and listless in expression.

她神情倦怠地靠在椅子上。

Literary

"困兽犹斗"

— A trapped beast still fights; used metaphorically for someone in a desperate situation (contains '困' but different meaning).

虽然失败了，但他还在困兽犹斗。

Literary

"睡眼惺忪"

— Eyes heavy with sleep; just waking up.

他睡眼惺忪地打开了门。

Literary

"哈欠连天"

— Yawning repeatedly.

昨晚没睡好，今天他哈欠连天。

Informal

"力不能支"

— Strength not enough to support; exhausted.

他已经累得力不能支了。

Formal

"筋疲力尽"

— Muscles tired and strength finished; similar to 精疲力竭.

搬完家，大家都筋疲力尽。

Neutral

Easily Confused

困倦 vs 累 (lèi)

Both mean 'tired'.

Lèi is general exhaustion; Kùnjuàn is specifically sleepiness/weariness.

我很累，但我一点也不困倦。

困倦 vs 困 (kùn)

Both mean 'sleepy'.

Kùn is colloquial; Kùnjuàn is more formal and descriptive.

孩子困了。/ 医生说病人感到困倦。

困倦 vs 疲惫 (píbèi)

Both describe weariness.

Píbèi is much stronger, implying total exhaustion.

长年的辛苦让他感到十分疲惫。

困倦 vs 乏力 (fálì)

Both relate to lack of energy.

Fálì is specifically about physical weakness/lack of strength.

生病后，他感到浑身乏力。

困倦 vs 倦怠 (juàndài)

Both use the 'juàn' character.

Juàndài often implies a mental weariness or boredom with a task.

他对这种重复的工作感到倦怠。

Sentence Patterns

我 + 很 + 困倦。

我很困倦。

A + 让 + B + 感到 + 困倦。

开车让人感到困倦。

虽然 + 困倦，但是 + ...

虽然困倦，但是他还在学习。

由于 + 困倦，... + 结果

由于困倦，他没听清楚。

带着 + 满脸的 + 困倦

他带着满脸的困倦走进房间。

消除/缓解 + 困倦

喝咖啡可以缓解困倦。

一阵 + 困倦 + 袭来

一阵深深的困倦袭来。

困倦 + 并非 + ... + 而是 + ...

困倦并非懒惰，而是疲劳。

Word Family

Nouns

困倦感 (kùnjuàngǎn - sense of weariness)

困顿 (kùndùn - poverty/exhaustion)

Verbs

困扰 (kùnrǎo - to puzzle/bother)

倦怠 (juàndài - to be weary of)

Adjectives

困 (kùn - sleepy)

倦 (juàn - tired)

疲倦 (píjuàn - weary)

疲劳

睡眠

休息

乏力

精神

How to Use It

frequency

Common in writing and formal speech; less common in casual daily chat.

Common Mistakes

Using '困倦' for physical exhaustion after sports. → Using '累' or '疲劳'.
困倦 specifically implies sleepiness, not just muscle fatigue.
Saying '我困倦了' to mean 'I'm going to bed' in a casual way. → Saying '我困了'.
困倦 is too formal for a quick statement to family or friends.
Writing '倦' without the person radical. → Always include '亻'.
The person radical is essential as it describes a human state.
Using '困倦' as a verb: '这节课困倦了我'。 → 这节课‘让我感到’困倦。
困倦 is an adjective/noun, not a causative verb.
Confusing '困倦' with '无聊' (bored). → Using '困倦' for sleepiness and '无聊' for lack of interest.
You can be bored without being sleepy, although they often happen together.

Tips

Break it down

Remember that '困' is 'trapped' and '倦' is 'tired'. You are trapped by your tiredness.

Tone check

Make sure both syllables fall sharply. Kùn! Juàn!

Formal usage

Use this word in your HSK essays to show a higher level of vocabulary.

Medical use

Look for this word on medicine labels to know if it will make you sleepy.

Character origin

The tree in the box (困) is a great visual for being stuck and weary.

Choose wisely

Use 困 for friends, 困倦 for reports, and 疲惫 for drama.

Spring fatigue

Learn about 'Chunkuan' (春困) to talk about the seasonal sleepiness in China.

Media watch

Listen for this in news reports about road safety and health.

Collocation

Always pair with '感到' (gǎndào) for the most natural 'feeling' sentence.

Visual cue

Think of a person nodding off (Juan) while being stuck (Kun) in a meeting.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a person (人) who is so tired they feel trapped (困) inside a box (囗) and just wants to roll (resembling the right side of 倦) into bed.

Visual Association

A person with a large square box around them, looking through the bars with heavy, tired eyes.

Word Web

Sleep Bed Coffee Work Heavy eyes Yawn Night Rest

Challenge

Try to use '困倦' in a sentence today when you feel the afternoon slump, instead of just saying 'I'm tired'.

Word Origin

The word is a combination of two ancient characters. '困' (kùn) originally depicted a tree (木) inside an enclosure (囗), symbolizing being restricted or trapped. Over time, it came to mean 'exhausted' or 'sleepy'. '倦' (juàn) consists of the person radical (人) and a phonetic component, originally meaning 'to tire' or 'to cease'.

Original meaning: The original meaning was to be physically restricted and thus exhausted, leading to a state of weariness.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be careful not to label someone as '困倦' in a way that implies they are lazy (懒惰) in a professional setting.

English speakers might use 'fatigue' or 'weariness', which have similar formal connotations to '困倦'.

Lu Xun's stories often describe the '困倦' of the lower classes. The idiom '昏昏欲睡' is a common way to describe the effect of boring speeches in Chinese media. Modern 'lying flat' (tang ping) culture is a response to chronic societal '困倦'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Driving

困倦驾驶
疲劳驾驶
休息区
安全第一

Medicine

副作用
引起困倦
嗜睡
遵医嘱

Work/Study

加班
感到困倦
效率低下
休息一下

Literature

困倦的午后
眼神困倦
满脸困倦
深深的困倦

Weather

春困
秋乏
夏打盹
天气让人困倦

Conversation Starters

"你今天看起来有点困倦，昨晚没睡好吗？"

"下午的会议总是让人感到困倦，你有什么好办法吗？"

"这种药吃了以后会感到困倦吗？"

"长途开车时，你是如何抵御困倦的？"

"你觉得现在的年轻人是不是普遍感到职场困倦？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你感到极度困倦的经历，你是如何应对的？

你认为现代社会的快节奏生活是导致人们普遍困倦的原因吗？为什么？

写一段描写：一个困倦的冬日午后，你在窗边观察到的景象。

如果有一种药可以让你永远不感到困倦，你会吃吗？请说明理由。

谈谈你对‘春困秋乏夏打盹’这种说法的看法。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not exactly. While 'tired' is usually '累' (lèi), '困倦' specifically means 'sleepy' or 'weary'. You can be '累' from the gym but not '困倦'.

You can, but it sounds a bit formal. Usually, for a baby, you would say '宝宝困了' (Bǎobao kùn le).

It can be both. As an adjective: '他很困倦'. As a noun: '他的困倦很明显'.

The most common opposite is '精神' (jīngshén), meaning energetic or spirited.

Use it in writing, formal speeches, or when you want to describe a deeper sense of fatigue than just needing a quick nap.

Mostly, yes. It carries the specific meaning of somnolence (sleepiness).

The formal term is '疲劳驾驶' (píláo jiàshǐ), but '困倦驾驶' is also understood and used in safety contexts.

Yes, it is the standard word for describing drowsiness as a symptom or side effect of medication.

Yes, metaphorically. '困倦的小镇' means a sleepy, quiet town.

It has the person radical (亻) on the left, and the right side is composed of 'eight' (丷), 'roll' (), and 'strength' (力) - actually, it's a specific component, check the stroke order carefully!