Meaning and Usage
The word 酣睡 (hānshuì) specifically describes a state of deep, sound sleep. It emphasizes the quality of sleep being uninterrupted and restful, often implying the person is sleeping very well or deeply.
Common Contexts
酣睡 is often used to describe someone who is sleeping so deeply that they are hard to wake up, such as a baby, a tired person, or someone after heavy exertion. It is more literary or formal than just saying 睡觉 (shuìjiào).
Collocations and Patterns
- 酣睡一整夜: to sleep soundly the whole night
- 酣睡过去: to fall into a deep sleep
- 酣睡不醒: to sleep so deeply that one cannot be easily awakened
Nuances
Using 酣睡 conveys a positive sense of restfulness and recovery. It is not used for light or restless sleep. Avoid confusing it with 睡着 (shuìzhao), which simply means 'to fall asleep' without implying depth or quality.
Register
酣睡 is somewhat literary and more common in written Chinese or formal speech rather than casual daily conversation, where 睡得很香 or 睡得很沉 might be used instead.