Translation guide
The English word "wake" has several distinct meanings: to stop sleeping, a funeral gathering, the trail behind a boat, and the aftermath of an event. Each meaning requires different Japanese expressions.
To stop sleeping, or to cause someone to stop sleeping.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to get up' or 'to wake up'. Used when someone wakes up on their own.
毎朝6時に起きる。
I wake up at 6 every morning.
Transitive verb meaning 'to wake someone up'. Use this when you wake another person.
母が私を7時に起こした。
My mother woke me up at 7.
Literally 'eyes open/clear'. Means 'to wake up' naturally, often implying becoming fully conscious.
大きな音で目が覚めた。
I woke up because of a loud noise.
Transitive version of 目が覚める. Means 'to wake someone up' or 'to open one's eyes'.
彼は目を覚ました。
He woke up (opened his eyes).
Formal or technical term for 'awaken', often used in medical or metaphorical contexts.
昏睡状態から覚醒した。
He awoke from a coma.
A vigil or gathering held before a funeral, where people pay respects to the deceased.
The standard term for a wake in Japanese culture, typically held the night before the funeral.
昨夜、祖父の通夜があった。
Last night, we had my grandfather's wake.
Polite form of 通夜, often used when speaking respectfully.
お通夜に参列した。
I attended the wake.
The track of waves left by a moving ship or boat.
Literally 'ship's track'. The standard term for the wake of a vessel.
船の航跡が湖面に広がった。
The boat's wake spread across the lake.
Literally 'pulling wave'. Refers to the wake or backwash of a ship.
The aftermath or consequences following an event, often used in phrases like 'in the wake of'.
Pattern meaning 'in the wake of' or 'following'. Used for events or situations.
台風の後を受けて、洪水が発生した。
In the wake of the typhoon, flooding occurred.
Literally 'in the aftermath/ripples of'. Often used for indirect effects.
経済危機の余波で、多くの企業が倒産した。
In the wake of the economic crisis, many companies went bankrupt.
A concise pattern meaning 'in response to' or 'following', often used in news.
事件を受けて、警備が強化された。
In the wake of the incident, security was tightened.
起きる means 'to get up' (leave bed), while 目が覚める means 'to wake up' (become conscious). You can 目が覚める without 起きる if you stay in bed.
目が覚めたけど、まだ起きなかった。
I woke up but didn't get up yet.
起こす is transitive (wake someone), 起きる is intransitive (wake up oneself). Using the wrong one can change the meaning entirely.
The wake washed ashore.