Japanese word

居眠り

Pronunciation

Romajiinemuri

Meaning

  • noundozing

Example

電車で居眠りしました。den sha de i nemu ri shi ma shi ta

I dozed off on the train.

Illustration for 居眠り (dozing)

More examples

夜遅くまで本を読んでいて、居眠りしてしまいました。yoru oso ku ma de hon o yo n de i te i nemu ri shi te shi ma i ma shi ta

I was reading until late at night and dozed off.

Core concept

Describes sleep that briefly overtakes someone while the person remains in place or is supposed to stay awake.

Common phrases

  • 居眠りをするi nemu ri o su ru

    doze

  • 居眠りから覚めるi nemu ri ka ra sa me ru

    wake up from dozing

Similar words

うたた寝utatane: A short, light sleep taken while sitting or resting, often without planning to sleep.
仮眠kamin: A short period of sleep taken to rest or regain energy, usually with the intention of sleeping.
寝落ちneochi: The act of falling asleep unintentionally while doing something or using a device.

Definition in Japanese

座ったまま、または何かをしている途中で、短時間眠り込むこと。suwa tta ma ma ma ta wa nan ka o shi te i ru to chū de tan ji kan nemu ri ko mu ko to

Word origin

居眠り (inemuri, "dozing") combines 居る (iru, "to be or remain") and 眠り (nemuri, "sleep"), referring to sleep that occurs while a person remains where they are.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 居眠り (inemuri) often refers to a brief, unintended sleep on a train or during a meeting, rather than a full night's sleep.

Other meanings

  • nodding offnoun

Opposites

  • 目覚めmezamewakefulnessnoun

Related words

  • 居眠りするinemurisurudozeverb

Word lists with this word