coucher

go to bed

verb koo-SHEH Common

Origin: From Old French colchier, from Latin collocare (to place, lay).

Also means

lay down

Usage Note

Coucher on its own means to lay something down or to sleep somewhere, but the reflexive se coucher is the standard phrase for going to bed, contrasting with se lever (to get up). Coucher avec (to sleep with) is a euphemism for a sexual relationship, so context matters. The noun le coucher de soleil (sunset, literally 'the sun going to bed') is a common and poetic phrase.

Examples

"Je me couche tôt ce soir."

Natural Translation

I am going to bed early tonight.

Literal Translation

I myself go-to-bed early this evening.

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