Japanese word

眠たい

Pronunciation

Romajinemutai

Meaning

  • i-adjectivesleepy

Example

授業中も眠たいです。ju gyō chū mo nemu ta i de su

I am sleepy even during class.

Illustration for 眠たい (sleepy)

More examples

昨夜遅くまで勉強したので、今日は朝から眠たいです。saku ya oso ku ma de ben kyō shi ta no de kyō wa asa ka ra nemu ta i de su

I studied until late last night, so I have been sleepy since this morning.

Core concept

Describes a heavy, unfocused state in which the body and mind are ready to fall asleep.

Common phrases

  • 眠たい目nemu ta i me

    sleepy eyes

  • 眠たい顔nemu ta i kao

    sleepy face

Similar words

眠いnemui: Describes a common, direct feeling of being ready to fall asleep.

Definition in Japanese

眠気を感じて、眠りたくなる状態にある。nemu ke o kan ji te nemu ri ta ku na ru jō tai ni a ru

Word origin

The native Japanese adjective 眠たい (nemutai, "sleepy") is related to 眠い (nemui, "sleepy"); one analysis derives it from 眠い (nemui) plus たい (tai), but this formation is not certain.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 眠たい (nemutai) can sound more expressive than 眠い (nemui), emphasizing how strongly a speaker feels the need to sleep.

Other meanings

  • drowsyi-adjective

Related words

  • 眠たさnemutasasleepinessnoun
  • 眠たげnemutagesleepy-lookingna-adjective

Word lists with this word