sleep
sleep — 動詞
1. to go into a natural state of rest at night, during which your eyes stay closed
睡覺
閉眼休息，意識停止的狀態
to go into a natural state of rest at night, during which your eyes stay closed and you are not aware of what is happening around you.
Sahil usually sleeps for about eight hours every night.
Sahil 每晚通常睡大約八個小時。
sleep + for + duration
The baby finally slept through the whole night without crying.
寶寶終於整夜沒哭，一覺睡到天亮。
sleep through the night
Joaquín was so tired that he slept on the sofa for two hours.
Joaquín 累壞了，在沙發上睡了兩個小時。
The cat sleeps on the windowsill every afternoon when the sun is warm.
那隻貓每天下午陽光溫暖時都會睡在窗臺上。
During the camping trip, Esme slept in a small tent next to the river.
露營期間，Esme 睡在河邊的一頂小帳篷裡。
- wake up
to stop sleeping; the opposite action
- stay awake
to choose not to sleep
文法句型
sleep
sleep + adverb of place/time
用法筆記
This is the basic, most common meaning. It is primarily intransitive — you do not 'sleep something'. The exception is the fixed pattern 'sleep a ... sleep' (e.g. 'sleep a good sleep').
常見錯誤
2. when a room, vehicle, or tent contains beds for a given number of people, the ve
可容納…人
房間或車輛提供足夠床位
when a room, vehicle, or tent contains beds for a given number of people, the verb 'sleep' is used to describe its capacity — for instance, a cabin that sleeps four people has beds for four.
The cabin sleeps six people, with two bunk beds and a sofa bed.
這間小木屋可容納六個人，有兩張雙層床和一張沙發床。
building/room sleeps + number
Their large family tent sleeps four adults comfortably.
他們那頂大型家庭帳篷可以舒適地容納四位成人。
The tent sleeps four, so there was plenty of room for Isabela and her three cousins.
這頂帳篷可睡四個人，所以 Isabela 和她的三個表親有足夠的空間。
The hotel room sleeps three, with a double bed and a rollaway cot.
這間飯店房間可睡三個人，有一張雙人床和一張折疊床。
Their new motorhome sleeps six and has a small kitchen and bathroom.
他們的新露營車可睡六個人，還附有小廚房和浴室。
- accommodate
broader meaning; includes sleeping, sitting, or housing in general
- hold
less formal; used for rooms, vehicles, and containers
文法句型
sleep + number of people
用法筆記
Only used with a number or quantity. You cannot say 'This tent sleeps people' — you must say how many. The subject is always a place or vehicle, never a person.
常見錯誤
3. to experience a particular quality or type of sleep, especially in terms of how
睡得…
以某種品質入睡（好、差、沉等）
to experience a particular quality or type of sleep, especially in terms of how well or how long you rest.
Adina slept badly last night because of the noise from the street.
Adina 昨晚因為街上的噪音沒睡好。
sleep + badly
After a long walk in the mountains, Liang slept deeply for ten hours.
在山裡走了很長一段路之後，Liang 沉沉地睡了十個小時。
sleep + deeply
The new mattress helped Christopher sleep much more soundly than before.
新的床墊讓 Christopher 睡得比以前安穩多了。
After the medicine, the patient slept peacefully for the first time in days.
服藥之後，病人幾天來第一次安穩地睡了一覺。
Daniel slept poorly on the plane because the seat would not recline.
Daniel 在飛機上睡得很差，因為座位無法往後傾。
文法句型
sleep + adverb (well, badly, deeply, soundly)
用法筆記
Unlike the core sense (verb/1), this sense must be followed by an adverb describing the quality of sleep. On its own, 'I slept' does not belong to this sense — it belongs to sense 1.
4. to postpone making a final choice until after a night of rest, allowing extra ti
考慮一晚
延後到隔天再做決定
to postpone making a final choice until after a night of rest, allowing extra time for careful thought.
I am not sure whether to accept the job offer, so I will sleep on it.
我不確定是否要接受這份工作，所以我打算考慮一晚再做決定。
sleep on it (idiomatic)
Yasmin told her partner she needed to sleep on the proposal before giving an answer.
Yasmin 告訴伴侶她需要把這個提案考慮一晚才能答覆。
Instead of making a quick choice, Michael decided to sleep on the matter until morning.
與其倉促做出選擇，Michael 決定把這件事考慮到隔天早上。
Before signing the contract, Sahil decided to sleep on the terms one more night.
在簽約之前，Sahil 決定把合約條款再考慮一晚。
The committee agreed to sleep on the proposal and meet again in the morning.
委員會同意把提案再考慮一晚，隔天早上再開會。
- think it over
more general; does not imply waiting until the next day
- take time to decide
more formal; can mean any length of time
- decide immediately
to make a choice without any delay
文法句型
sleep on it
sleep on + noun phrase
用法筆記
Always used with 'on' as a phrasal verb. The decision is typically an important one — job offers, purchases, relationship choices. This is a fixed idiomatic expression.
常見錯誤
5. to fail to notice or appreciate the true value or importance of someone or somet
忽視；看輕
未能注意重要或有價值的人事物
to fail to notice or appreciate the true value or importance of someone or something, often missing a good opportunity as a result.
Do not sleep on that band — their new album is truly amazing.
別小看那個樂團——他們的新專輯真的很棒。
negative imperative: don't sleep on
Lakan slept on the warning signs until it was too late to fix the problem.
Lakan 一直忽略那些警訊，等到想解決時已經來不及了。
Critics slept on the film when it first came out, but now people love it.
這部電影剛上映時影評人都不看好，但現在大家都很喜歡。
Investors slept on the small tech company, not realizing how fast it would grow.
投資人忽略了這家小型科技公司，沒意識到它會成長得這麼快。
I slept on the local jazz club for years, but once I finally went, I regretted not going sooner.
我忽略當地的爵士酒吧好幾年，但去了之後才後悔沒有早點去。
- overlook
more formal; to fail to notice
- underestimate
to judge something as less valuable than it truly is
- recognize
to acknowledge the value or importance of something
文法句型
sleep on + noun phrase (in negative imperative)
用法筆記
Common in informal and slang contexts, especially in recommendations ('don't sleep on X'). This sense is different from verb/4 ('sleep on it' = delay a decision) — here 'sleep on' means 'ignore or overlook'.
常見錯誤
❌ 'Don't sleep on it — make a choice now.' — Confusing this sense with verb/4 (DELAY DECISION). This sense criticizes ignoring value, not postponing a decision.
6. to spend the night outdoors or in a public place because you lack a permanent ho
露宿街頭
因無家可歸而在戶外睡覺
to spend the night outdoors or in a public place because you lack a permanent home.
After losing his job and his flat, Ziad had to sleep rough for several weeks.
失去工作和住處後，Ziad 不得不在街頭露宿了好幾個星期。
sleep rough (BrE)
The charity provides hot meals for people who are sleeping rough in the city centre.
這家慈善機構為市中心露宿街頭的人提供熱食。
More young people are sleeping rough this winter because of the high cost of housing.
今年冬天因為房價太高，有更多年輕人露宿街頭。
The shelter offers a warm bed to anyone who would otherwise sleep rough.
這間收容所為原本會露宿街頭的人提供溫暖的床位。
A charity runs a winter programme to help people who sleep rough in the cold.
一家慈善機構在冬天執行計畫，幫助在寒風中露宿街頭的人。
- sleep on the streets
more literal and used in both British and American English
- have a home
to have regular shelter and a bed to sleep in
- stay indoors
to sleep inside a building
文法句型
sleep rough
sleep on the streets
用法筆記
Primarily British English. The equivalent American expression is 'sleep on the streets' or 'sleep outside'. The adjective 'rough' follows the verb directly and cannot be moved.
7. a warm, informal expression said to a person who is heading to bed, wishing them
睡個好覺
祝福他人安睡的告別語
a warm, informal expression said to a person who is heading to bed, wishing them a comfortable and restful night.
Liang kissed his daughter on the forehead and said, 'Sleep tight, little one.'
Liang 在女兒額頭上親了一下，說：「睡個好覺，小寶貝。」
imperative: sleep tight
Before closing the bedroom door, Daniel whispered, 'Sleep well, everyone.'
關上臥室門之前，Daniel 輕聲說：「大家晚安，好好睡。」
The camp leaders told the children to sleep tight and gave each one a warm blanket.
營地領隊叫孩子們好好睡覺，並給每人發了一條溫暖的毯子。
Tucking in her niece, Adina smiled and whispered, 'Sleep tight, sweetheart.'
Adina 幫姪女蓋好被子，微笑著輕聲說：「睡個好覺，親愛的。」
The nurse told each patient to sleep tight before turning off the lights.
護士在關燈前祝每位病人睡個好覺。
- sleep well
more neutral; expresses the same wish without the informal rhyme association
- sweet dreams
focuses on dreaming rather than the quality of sleep itself
文法句型
Sleep tight!
Sleep well!
用法筆記
Almost always used as an imperative or a wish, not in past tense. 'Sleep tight' is often paired with 'don't let the bedbugs bite' as a playful, traditional rhyme. 'Sleep well' is a more neutral alternative.
sleep — 名詞
1. the natural condition of the body and mind when you are not awake, your eyes are
睡眠
閉眼不醒的自然休息狀態
the natural condition of the body and mind when you are not awake, your eyes are closed, and you are unaware of what is happening around you.
Doctors say that adults need at least seven hours of sleep every night.
醫生說成年人每晚至少需要七個小時的睡眠。
uncountable: need + sleep
The loud music from the party next door interrupted my sleep at midnight.
隔壁派對傳來的吵鬧音樂在半夜打斷了我的睡眠。
Michael has been having trouble with sleep ever since he started working night shifts.
Michael 自從開始上夜班之後，睡眠就一直有問題。
Researchers say that a lack of sleep can affect your memory and concentration.
研究人員說缺乏睡眠會影響記憶力和專注力。
Joaquín felt refreshed after eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.
Joaquín 在連續睡了八小時之後，感到精神煥發。
- wakefulness
the state of being awake and alert
- insomnia
the medical condition of being unable to sleep
文法句型
sleep
get some sleep
need sleep
用法筆記
This is the uncountable noun form — you cannot say 'a sleep' when referring to the general state. 'A sleep' (countable) is used for a specific period (see noun sense 4).
常見錯誤
2. the moment or process of beginning to sleep; used in fixed expressions that desc
入睡
從清醒進入睡眠的過程
the moment or process of beginning to sleep; used in fixed expressions that describe the transition from being awake to being asleep.
Daniel told his daughter a short story to help her go to sleep.
Daniel 給女兒講了一個短故事，幫助她入睡。
go to sleep
The gentle rocking of the train sent the tired passengers to sleep.
火車輕微的搖晃讓疲憊的乘客們都睡著了。
send + someone + to sleep
Esme listened to soft music as she slowly drifted off to sleep.
Esme 一邊聽著輕柔的音樂，一邊慢慢地進入了夢鄉。
The sound of rain on the roof helped Christopher quickly go to sleep.
屋頂上的雨聲讓 Christopher 很快就睡著了。
Ziad read a chapter of his book before finally drifting off to sleep.
Ziad 讀了一章書，然後終於慢慢睡著了。
- wake up
the moment of becoming conscious again
文法句型
go to sleep
drift off to sleep
send someone to sleep
用法筆記
This sense only appears in fixed phrases. 'Go to sleep' is the most common. 'Drift off to sleep' suggests a slow, natural transition. This sense is distinct from noun/3 (GET TO SLEEP), which emphasizes successfully achieving sleep despite difficulty.
常見錯誤
3. to succeed in falling asleep, especially when you are trying but finding it diff
睡著
設法入睡，尤其指難以入眠時
to succeed in falling asleep, especially when you are trying but finding it difficult.
Christopher was too excited to get to sleep on the night before his holiday.
Christopher 在度假出發前一晚太興奮了，睡不著。
get to sleep (succeeding)
Adina drank warm milk to help herself get to sleep after a stressful day.
Adina 在度過壓力很大的一天後，喝了熱牛奶幫助自己入睡。
The baby would not get to sleep until her mother sang a lullaby.
寶寶直到媽媽唱了搖籃曲才肯睡著。
The noisy traffic outside made it very hard for Sahil to get to sleep.
外面繁忙的交通噪音讓 Sahil 很難入睡。
Yasmin counted sheep in an effort to get to sleep on the night before her exam.
Yasmin 在考試前一晚數羊，努力讓自己睡著。
- fall asleep
the most general expression for the transition
- doze off
informal; suggests a lighter, unintended sleep
- stay awake
to avoid falling asleep on purpose
- lie awake
to be in bed without being able to sleep
文法句型
get to sleep
cannot get to sleep
用法筆記
'Get to sleep' emphasizes success — especially after initial difficulty. Compare 'go to sleep' (noun/2), which describes starting the process without implying trouble. In negative form, 'cannot get to sleep' is a common way to describe insomnia.
常見錯誤
❌ 'I finally went to sleep after two hours.' — This can be ambiguous. If you mean you succeeded despite difficulty, prefer 'I finally got to sleep after struggling for two hours.'
4. a single stretch during which you sleep, often described by how long or how well
一覺
睡一次覺的時間段
a single stretch during which you sleep, often described by how long or how well you rested.
After the long flight, Sahil had a short sleep on the sofa before dinner.
坐了長途飛機後，Sahil 在晚餐前在沙發上小睡了一會兒。
a + adjective + sleep
Yasmin felt much better after a good sleep and a hot shower.
Yasmin 好好睡了一覺又洗了個熱水澡之後，感覺好多了。
The old cat enjoyed a long, peaceful sleep in the warm afternoon sun.
那隻老貓在溫暖的午後陽光下舒舒服服地睡了長長的一覺。
Marco took a quick sleep during his lunch break to regain his energy.
Marco 在午休時間快速睡了一覺，恢復體力。
The hikers enjoyed a peaceful sleep under the stars at the campsite.
登山者在營地的星空下安穩地睡了一覺。
文法句型
a + adjective + sleep
a + number-hour + sleep
用法筆記
This is the countable form. You can say 'a sleep', 'a good sleep', 'a short sleep', etc. A common pattern is 'a + adjective + sleep' where the adjective describes the duration or quality. Not used with numbers directly — say 'eight hours of sleep' (uncountable, noun/1) rather than 'an eight-hour sleep' (possible but less common).
常見錯誤
5. one night counted as a simple unit for measuring how many days remain before a p
一宿
以「睡幾覺」來計算天數
one night counted as a simple unit for measuring how many days remain before a planned event, often used when talking to children.
Christmas is only three sleeps away, and the children can hardly wait.
聖誕節再睡三覺就到了，孩子們都快等不及了。
number + sleep(s) away
Liang told his son that their trip to the beach was just one sleep away.
Liang 告訴兒子他們去海灘的旅程再睡一覺就到了。
Our holiday begins in two more sleeps — I have already packed my bags.
再睡兩覺我們的假期就開始了——我已經打包好行李了。
Only five more sleeps until Grandma arrives for the holiday celebration.
再睡五覺，奶奶就要來過節了。
Daniel told his little brother that there were just two sleeps left until the fair.
Daniel 告訴弟弟，再睡兩覺就可以去園遊會了。
文法句型
a sleep (referring to a night away)
two sleeps away
用法筆記
This is an informal, child-friendly way to talk about time. A 'sleep' here means 'a night that passes before something happens'. Most common with young children: 'only five more sleeps until your birthday.'
6. the small crusty or sticky bits that form at the inner edge of your eye while yo
眼屎
睡醒時眼角出現的分泌物
the small crusty or sticky bits that form at the inner edge of your eye while you are sleeping.
Lakan wiped the sleep from his eyes before going to the bathroom to wash his face.
Lakan 在去浴室洗臉之前，先把眼角的眼屎擦掉。
sleep (from someone's eyes)
The toddler woke up with sleep in the corners of his eyes and rubbed them with his fists.
學步的小孩醒來時眼角有眼屎，就用拳頭揉眼睛。
Nadia gently cleaned the sleep from the baby's eyes with a soft, damp cloth.
Nadia 用柔軟的濕布輕輕擦掉寶寶眼角的眼屎。
After his nap, the little boy had sleep in both eyes and needed help cleaning up.
小男孩睡醒後兩邊眼角都有眼屎，需要幫忙清理。
Liang splashed cold water on his face to wash the sleep from his eyes.
Liang 潑了冷水洗臉，把眼角的眼屎洗掉。
- rheum
the formal medical term; not used in everyday conversation
文法句型
sleep (in/from one's eyes)
用法筆記
This is an informal, uncountable noun meaning the dried fluid around the eyes. It is never used with an article ('a sleep' in this sense is wrong). The more formal medical term is 'rheum'.