睡觉

You can use it as a standalone verb. You can also split it up to add details. For example, you can say 睡个好觉 to mean 'have a good sleep.' It is very flexible in sentences. Just place it after the subject like 我睡觉. If you are doing it right now, add 在 before it.

Use it when you are tired at night. Use it when telling your boss you need a nap. It works perfectly when texting a friend 'goodnight.' It is safe for almost any situation involving rest. You will hear it in bedrooms, offices, and hotels alike. It is the most 'neutral' way to describe slumber.

Don't use it if you want to sound very poetic. There are fancier words for 'slumber' in literature. Avoid using it if you are describing a 'comatose' state. It implies a natural, healthy rest. Also, be careful with the context of 'sleeping with someone.' Like in English, it can have a double meaning. Context usually makes it clear, but stay mindful!

In China, the 'noon nap' or 午睡 is a huge deal. You will see people 睡觉 at their desks after lunch. It is not seen as being lazy. It is seen as essential for productivity. Schools and offices often have a dedicated quiet time. This cultural habit makes the word 睡觉 very common in daytime conversation.

You might hear 去睡了 which means 'going to sleep now.' Friends often use 补觉 which means 'catching up on sleep.' If you are just napping, you might say 小睡. If you can't sleep, you say 睡不着. These variations help you describe exactly how your rest is going.