Translation guide
The state or act of being asleep. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the verb 寝る (neru) or the te-form 寝ている (nete iru) for the ongoing state. The choice depends on whether you are talking about the action of going to sleep, the state of being asleep, or related concepts like falling asleep or being sleepy.
Describing someone who is currently sleeping.
The te-iru form of 寝る (neru, to sleep) indicates the ongoing state of being asleep. This is the most natural way to say 'is sleeping'.
赤ちゃんが寝ている。
The baby is sleeping.
彼はまだ寝ている。
He is still sleeping.
眠る (nemuru) also means 'to sleep', and 眠っている emphasizes the state of being asleep, often with a nuance of deep or peaceful sleep. Slightly more literary than 寝ている.
子供たちはぐっすり眠っている。
The children are sleeping soundly.
A formal, written term meaning 'during sleep' or 'while sleeping'. Used in signs, announcements, or formal contexts.
就寝中はお静かに。
Please be quiet while people are sleeping.
Describing the transition from awake to asleep.
The basic verb for 'to sleep' or 'to go to bed'. In non-past form, it often means 'will sleep' or 'go to sleep'.
Can also mean 'to fall asleep', often implying a natural drifting off. 眠りにつく is a common phrase.
Specifically means 'to fall asleep', emphasizing the moment of falling asleep. Often used when it takes time or difficulty.
A slightly poetic or formal way to say 'fall asleep'.
静かに眠りについた。
Quietly fell asleep.
Using 'sleeping' as a gerund or noun.
The standard noun for 'sleep'. Used in medical, scientific, and everyday contexts.
十分な睡眠が必要です。
Adequate sleep is necessary.
睡眠不足で疲れている。
I'm tired from lack of sleep.
The noun form of 眠る, often used in more literary or emotional contexts, or in set phrases.
深い眠りにつく。
Fall into a deep sleep.
The noun form of 寝る, used in compounds like 寝不足 (lack of sleep) or 寝言 (sleep talking). Rarely used alone.
寝不足だ。
I'm sleep-deprived.
Describing something used for or related to sleeping.
Pattern meaning 'for sleep use'. 睡眠用 (suimin-you) is a common prefix for items like sleeping bags or sleeping pills.
The stem 寝 (ne) can combine with nouns to form compounds like 寝袋 (sleeping bag) or 寝酒 (nightcap drink).
寝袋
sleeping bag
Using 'sleeping with' to mean having sex.
Just like English, 寝る can be a euphemism for having sex, especially with と (with). Context makes it clear.
Can be ambiguous; use only when context is clear.
彼と寝た。
I slept with him.
A more explicit phrase meaning 'to have sexual relations'. Less ambiguous than 寝る.
彼女と関係を持った。
I had sex with her.
寝る (neru) is the general verb for 'to sleep' or 'to lie down to sleep'. It focuses on the physical act of going to bed or being in a sleeping posture. 眠る (nemuru) is more about the state of being asleep, often implying a deeper, natural sleep. In many contexts they are interchangeable, but 寝る is more common in daily speech.
English uses 'sleeping' as an adjective (sleeping bag, sleeping pill), but Japanese does not use 寝る directly as an adjective. Instead, use compounds like 寝袋 (nebukuro) or 睡眠用 (suimin-you).
猫がソファで寝ている。
The cat is sleeping on the sofa.
寝付きが悪い。
I have trouble sleeping.
He fell asleep quickly.
I couldn't fall asleep for a long time.