sleep
Meaning: A natural resting state of reduced consciousness; to rest in this state
The noun 'sleep' refers to a natural periodic state of rest during which consciousness and voluntary movement are suspended. As a verb, it means to be in this state of rest. Related expressions include 'sleep on it' (decide after a night's rest), 'lose sleep over' (worry about), and 'beauty sleep.' The phrase 'let sleeping dogs lie' means to avoid stirring up trouble.
Examples
- I didn't get much sleep last night. 昨晚我没怎么睡好。No dormí mucho anoche.昨夜はあまり眠れませんでした。어젯밤에 잠을 많이 못 잤습니다.
- The baby is sleeping peacefully. 宝宝睡得很安详。El bebé está durmiendo plácidamente.赤ちゃんは穏やかに眠っています。아기가 평화롭게 자고 있습니다.
- You should sleep on it before making such a big decision. 做这么大的决定之前,你应该睡一觉再说。Deberías consultarlo con la almohada antes de tomar una decisión tan importante.そんな大きな決断をする前に、一晩寝て考えた方がいいですよ。그렇게 큰 결정을 내리기 전에 하룻밤 자고 생각해 보는 게 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Old English 'slæpan', from Proto-Germanic '*slepanan'. Cognate with Dutch 'slapen' and German 'schlafen'. One of the most ancient and fundamental words in the English language.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
More From This Topic
More from Daily Life
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free