‘催眠’ (cuīmián) literally combines ‘催’ (cuī), meaning ‘to urge’ or ‘to prompt’, and ‘眠’ (mián), meaning ‘to sleep’. Together, they form the noun ‘hypnosis’ — a psychological technique that induces a trance-like state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility, often used for therapeutic purposes like reducing anxiety, managing pain, or breaking habits. Though the characters suggest ‘urging sleep’, modern usage refers not to ordinary sleep but to an altered state of consciousness guided by a trained practitioner.

The term appears in clinical, educational, and popular contexts — for example, in discussions about therapy, stage performances, or self-help methods. It’s commonly paired with verbs like ‘进行’ (to conduct), ‘接受’ (to receive), or ‘实施’ (to administer). While historically associated with mysticism, contemporary Chinese usage emphasizes its evidence-informed applications in psychology and medicine, especially when distinguishing it from superstition or entertainment.