Translation guide
The state of feeling sleepy or on the verge of falling asleep. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed with nouns like 眠気, adjectives like 眠い, or verbs like 眠くなる.
Expressing the feeling of being sleepy or drowsy in everyday situations.
The most common noun for 'drowsiness' or 'sleepiness'. Used in phrases like 'drowsiness hits' or 'I can't shake off my drowsiness'.
眠気がひどい。
I'm really drowsy.
会議中に眠気に襲われた。
I was overcome by drowsiness during the meeting.
The most common i-adjective meaning 'sleepy' or 'drowsy'. Used to describe one's current state.
Verb phrase meaning 'to become sleepy/drowsy'. Often used when something triggers drowsiness.
暖かい部屋にいると眠くなる。
I get drowsy when I'm in a warm room.
満腹になると眠くなる。
I get sleepy when I'm full.
Literally 'sleep demon', a somewhat dramatic or literary way to personify drowsiness. Used in expressions like 'attacked by the sleep demon'.
睡魔に勝てなかった。
I couldn't fight off the drowsiness.
Referring to drowsiness caused by medication, illness, or medical conditions.
Also used in medical contexts for 'drowsiness' as a symptom or side effect.
この薬の副作用として眠気が出ることがあります。
This medicine may cause drowsiness as a side effect.
Medical term for 'somnolence' or abnormal drowsiness, often used in clinical settings.
Describing an environment or mood that induces drowsiness, like a lazy afternoon.
Adjective similar to 眠い but can also describe a drowsy atmosphere or feeling of lethargy. Slightly more colloquial.
眠たい午後の日差し。
The drowsy afternoon sunlight.
Phrase meaning 'to induce drowsiness', used for sounds, warmth, etc.
雨音は眠気を誘う。
The sound of rain induces drowsiness.
Both mean 'sleepy', but 眠たい is slightly more colloquial and can also describe a drowsy atmosphere. 眠い is the standard, neutral term for personal sleepiness.
Drowsiness (眠気) is specifically the desire to sleep. General fatigue or tiredness is 疲れ (つかれ) or 疲れた (つかれた). Using 眠い when you mean physically exhausted can be misleading.
The patient shows a tendency toward somnolence.