The culture and the habit of sleeping in China

Traditional Chinese Medicine promotes sleeping according to the natural rhythm of the seasons, with more sleep during winter and less in summer.

In springtime, you should go to bed early and rise early, in the summer go to bed late and rise early. In the fall, go to bed early and wake early, in winter go to bed early and get up late. The original Mandarin saying is as follows:

chūntiān zǎoshuì zǎoqǐ

春天早睡早起

xiàtiān wǎnshuì zǎoqǐ,

夏天晚睡早起

qiūtiān zǎo shuì zǎoqǐ,

秋天早睡早起

dōngtiān zǎo shuì wǎn qǐ

冬天早睡晚起.

Of course, in today’s China life is busy and work is non-stop for many. Few employers are going to accept staff turning up late for a few months just because it’s wintry and cold outside.

One sleep tradition in China has lasted, however. It’s the post-lunch nap. In offices across the country it’s not uncommon to see a large proportion of Chinese staff at their desks after lunch, heads down and dozing. Children at grade school in China take naps at their desks, students at universities go back to their dorms. It’s just a habit continues into the workplace.

The first time I saw this in an office, I honestly didn’t know whether to feel impressed or horrified that such conspicuous napping was accepted. You can see why it works though: a quick catnap falls in line with the natural post-lunch lull and serves to boost the afternoon’s productivity. Maybe we should all embrace this practice.

Below is some key Chinese language to help you discuss your own sleeping habits in Mandarin:

Key vocab & phrases:
睡觉 / shuìjiào / to sleep; to go to bed
午睡 / wǔshuì / to have a siesta (a nap around lunch time)
小睡一会儿 / xiǎo shuì yī huì’r / To have a nap (at any time)
累 / lèi / to be tired
困 / kùn / to be sleepy
Nǐ shuìde hǎo ma?

你睡得好吗？
Did you sleep well?

Shuìde hěn hǎo, xièxie!
睡得很好, 谢谢！
Yes, I slept well, thank you!

Zuó wǎn wǒ shuìde bù hao.
昨晚我睡得不好。
I didn’t sleep well last night.

Wǒ zhǐ shuìle sìgè xiǎoshí. Kùn sǐ le.
我只睡了四个小时。困死了。
I only got 4 hours sleep. I’m exhausted.

Wǒ jiù qù xiǎoshuì yīhuì’r.
我就去小睡一会儿。
I’m just going to take a nap.

Wǒ de Zhōngguó tóngshìmen chángcháng wǔfàn hòu wǔshuì.
我的中国同事们常常午饭后午睡。
My Chinese co-workers often nap after lunch.

Wǒ hěn kùn. Wǒ qù mǎi yìbēi kāfēi.
我很困。我去买一杯咖啡!
I’m sleepy. I’m going to buy a cup of coffee.

Wǒ bǎ nàozhōng shědào zǎoshang liù diǎn.
我把闹钟设到早上六点。
I set my alarm clock for 6am.

Wǒ yǒu shíchā. shuì bù zháo!
我有时差. 睡不着!
I have jet-lag. I can’t sleep!

Kuài shuì ba!
快睡吧！
Go to sleep!