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寝 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
寝qǐnold variant of 寢n, 13 strokes, radical 宀, rank #28851, Very Hard
寝qǐn>寝[qǐn]n, 13 strokes, radical 宀, rank #28851, Very Hard
寝qǐnto lie downn, 13 strokes, radical 宀, rank #28851, Very Hard
寝qǐnto sleep, to rest; bedroomn, 13 strokes, radical 宀, rank #28851, Very Hard
寝qǐnold variant of 寢|寝[qin3]unknown, 13 strokes, radical 宀, rank #28851, Very Hard
qǐn(qin3) T3
  1. 1old variant of 寢
  2. 2>寝[qǐn]
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
寝(寑)qǐn(qin3)

The character 寝 (qǐn) primarily means 'to lie down' or 'to sleep.' It can also refer to a 'bedroom' or a place where one rests. This term is often used in contexts related to sleep and rest, highlighting its importance in daily life and well-being.

Strokes13Radical宀Frequency#28851DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, sleep is considered essential for health and well-being. The concept of rest is deeply rooted in traditional practices, such as the importance of napping during the day to maintain energy levels.

Memory Tip

Imagine a cozy bedroom where you 'lie down' to sleep. The character 寝 looks like a person lying down (the top part) under a roof (the bottom part). Picture yourself relaxing in this serene space to remember its meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 寝

qǐn(qin3)
1to lie down
2to sleep, to rest; bedroom
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 寝

寝Simplified
寑Traditional
13Strokes
宀Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#28851Frequency Rank

Podcast: 寝

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Podcast: 寝

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AI Study Notes for 寝

Quick Contrast

卧 (wò) refers specifically to 'lying down' or 'to recline,' while 寝 (qǐn) encompasses both 'to sleep' and 'bedroom,' making it broader in context.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a cozy bedroom where you 'lie down' to sleep. The character 寝 looks like a person lying down (the top part) under a roof (the bottom part). Picture yourself relaxing in this serene space to remember its meaning and pronunciation.

Usage Notes

Learners should note that 寝 is often used in more formal contexts, such as in literature or when discussing sleep-related topics. Common collocations include 寝室 (qǐnshì, 'bedroom') and 寝具 (qǐnjù, 'bedding'). Be careful with the tones, as mispronouncing it as qin could lead to confusion.

HSK Study Tips

While 寝 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it shares roots with other sleep-related terms. Students should focus on its connections to related words like 睡觉 (shuìjiào, 'to sleep') and 休息 (xiūxí, 'to rest') to enhance their understanding and vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, sleep is considered essential for health and well-being. The concept of rest is deeply rooted in traditional practices, such as the importance of napping during the day to maintain energy levels.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 寝 with its modern variant 寝 (qǐn) and mispronounce it as qin. Ensure you use the correct tone and context when speaking about sleep or resting.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 寝

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Etymology of 寝

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A person 彐冖又 lying down on a bed 丬 in their home 宀

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 寝?

Decomposition of 寝

IDS Structure⿱宀⿰丬⿳彐冖又
寝Full Character
=
宀gai4
top
丬qiang2
left
彐ji4
top
冖mi4
middle
又you4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 寝?

Write 寝

寝

Practice writing 寝 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 寝

寝 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

两个男人都传话说他们已经就____了。

Both men sent word that they had retired for the evening.

Example Sentences for 寝 (3)

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1
两个男人都传话说他们已经就寝了。

liǎng gè nán rén dū chuán huà shuō tā mén yǐ jīng jiù qǐn le。

Both men sent word that they had retired for the evening.
2
我帮孩子们脱衣就寝.

wǒ bāng hái zǐ mén tuō yī jiù qǐn.

I helped to undress the children for bed.
3
挂几张印刷画让你的寝室亮丽生色.

guà jī zhāng yìn shuā huà ràng nǐ de qǐn shì liàng lì shēng sè.

Brighten up your bedroom with a few posters.

Cultural Notes for 寝

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, sleep is considered essential for health and well-being. The concept of rest is deeply rooted in traditional practices, such as the importance of napping during the day to maintain energy levels.

Word Family of 寝

Words Containing This Character11
寝室qǐnshìbedroom寢室
寝qǐnto lie down寑
就寝to go to sleep就寢
寝食难安lit. cannot rest or eat in peace (idiom)寢食難安
废寝忘食fèiqǐnwàngshíto skip one's sleep and meals廢寢忘食
寿终正寝to die of old age壽終正寢
陵寝tomb (of king or emperor)陵寢
寝具bedding寢具
废寝忘餐to skip one's sleep and meals廢寢忘餐
食肉寝皮implacable hatred食肉寢皮
忘餐废寝to skip one's sleep and meals忘餐廢寢
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 寝室 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 寝

寝 refers more to the act of lying down or resting, while 睡觉 specifically means 'to sleep.'