seoi6 gaau3睡覺睡觉
Jyutpingseoi6 gaau3
Yaleseuih gau
Definition
To go to bed
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
瞓覺 is the standard colloquial term for sleeping in Cantonese. While 睡覺 is understood in writing, it sounds unnatural and overly formal in daily speech. Using 瞓 instead of 睡 is the most immediate way to sound more like a local speaker.
Related words
Common phrases
fan3 aan3 gaau3
瞓晏覺
to take a nap
fan3 m4 zoek6
瞓唔着
cannot fall asleep
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 睡覺 because it appears in textbooks, but using it in casual conversation can make you sound like you are reading from a script or speaking Mandarin. Stick to 瞓覺 for all everyday situations.
Tone guide
T1High level
T2High rising
T3Mid level
T4Low falling
T5Low rising
T6Low level
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
