辗转反侧

zhǎn zhuǎn fǎn cè

to toss and turn (unable to sleep)

Character by character

辗zhǎn
turn over

转zhuǎn
roll

反fǎn
turn back

侧cè
side

明天就要面试了，他躺在床上辗转反侧，一夜没睡好。

With the interview the next day, he tossed and turned in bed and hardly slept.

Tone: neutral.

From 《关雎》 (悠哉悠哉，辗转反侧), where a young man lies awake for love. Now of any worry, excitement or regret that keeps you awake. 辗 is zhǎn here.

Learn this in Lesson 230 · HSK 9+: 诗经：最早的歌 (The Book of Songs)

A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.