Translation guide
The state of being half-asleep or lightly sleeping, often unintentionally. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific mimetic words, verbs, and phrases that capture the nuance of drowsiness or napping.
To describe the act of falling into a light sleep without meaning to, such as during a meeting or while watching TV.
To describe the state of being half-asleep, where one is still somewhat aware of surroundings.
A mimetic phrase for drifting in and out of sleep. It suggests a hazy, half-awake state.
ソファでうつらうつらしていた。
I was dozing on the sofa.
To describe intentionally sleeping for a short period, similar to a siesta or power nap.
A noun meaning a short nap or snooze, often taken intentionally to restore energy. Common in work contexts.
居眠り (inemuri) is specifically dozing off in a place where one shouldn't sleep, like a meeting. うとうと (utouto) is the physical sensation of drowsiness and nodding off. 仮眠 (kamin) is a deliberate short nap, often for productivity.
English 'dozing' doesn't have a single direct equivalent. Using 寝る (neru, to sleep) alone misses the nuance of light or unintentional sleep. Choose the mimetic word or compound that matches the context.
The most common word for dozing off unintentionally, especially in a sitting position. It implies a brief, light sleep.
会議中に居眠りしてしまった。
I dozed off during the meeting.
A mimetic phrase describing the state of nodding off or being drowsy. Often used for the moment just before falling asleep.
暖かい部屋でうとうとしてしまった。
I dozed off in the warm room.
A mimetic phrase for the head-nodding motion when fighting sleep. More vivid and colloquial than うとうとする.
授業中にこっくりこっくりしてたよ。
You were nodding off during class.
Literally 'to row a boat', this idiom describes the swaying motion of someone dozing off while sitting. It is a figurative and somewhat literary expression.
彼は椅子に座って船を漕いでいた。
He was dozing off in his chair.
A verb meaning to doze or slumber lightly, often with a pleasant connotation. It implies a peaceful, shallow sleep.
春の陽気にまどろんでいた。
I was dozing in the spring warmth.
昼休みに仮眠をとった。
I took a nap during lunch break.
A noun for dozing or napping without lying down properly, often unintentional but sometimes deliberate. It has a slightly old-fashioned feel.
こたつでうたた寝してしまった。
I dozed off in the kotatsu.