休眠

• Pinyin: xiū mián
• Hanzi breakdown: 休 = 人 + 木 (rest/pause); 眠 = 目 + 民 (sleep)

Meaning

To hibernate or go dormant; to enter a state of suspended activity to conserve energy or survive unfavourable conditions.

Used for animals hibernating, plants going dormant, volcanoes becoming inactive, and by extension for computer sleep modes or paused projects. Implies a temporary state with potential for resumption.

Examples

1. 寒冬来临之前，许多动物会大量进食以积累脂肪，为漫长的休眠期做好充分准备。 Before winter arrives, many animals eat heavily to build up fat reserves and fully prepare for the long hibernation period.
2. 该火山目前处于休眠状态，但地质学家仍在持续监测其地震活动与地热变化。 This volcano is currently dormant, but geologists are still continuously monitoring its seismic activity and geothermal changes.
3. 这款软件在闲置一段时间后会自动进入休眠模式，以减少不必要的系统资源消耗。 After being idle for a while, this software automatically enters sleep mode to reduce unnecessary system resource use.

Usage Guide

Context: biology, geology, technology, nature

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 北极熊在整个冬季都处于休眠状态，期间心率和体温均大幅降低，以维持生命活动。(Polar bears remain dormant throughout winter, during which their heart rate and body temperature drop significantly to sustain basic life functions.)
• 这个科研项目因资金不足而暂时进入休眠阶段，待条件成熟后将重新启动。(This research project temporarily entered a dormant phase due to insufficient funding and will be restarted once conditions are right.)

Don't Say

• 他在课堂上休眠了 — 休眠 implies a biological or technical dormant state, not simply falling asleep; use 打盹 or 睡着了 for dozing off in class

Origin & History

休 (rest/pause) + 眠 (sleep) — resting sleep; a state of suspended biological or physical activity

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal