Japanese Conversation · Level 43
90 words
Japanese word
覚める
Pronunciation
Romajisameru
Meaning
- verbwake up
Example
毎朝六時に目が覚めます。mai asa roku ji ni me ga sa me ma su
I wake up at six every morning.
More examples
窓から朝日が差すと、自然に目が覚めます。mado ka ra asa hi ga sa su to shi zen ni me ga sa me ma su
When sunlight comes through the window, I wake up naturally.
Core concept
It describes the return from sleep to ordinary awareness, whether or not the person gets out of bed.
Common phrases
目が覚めるme ga sa me ru
wake up
眠りから覚めるnemu ri ka ra sa me ru
wake from sleep
夢から覚めるyume ka ra sa me ru
wake up from a dream
Similar words
起きるokiru: To get out of bed after sleeping.
目覚めるmezameru: To become awake after sleeping, with a formal or literary tone.
Definition in Japanese
眠っていた人が意識を取り戻し、眠りの状態でなくなる。nemu tte i ta hito ga i shiki o to ri modo shi nemu ri no jō tai de na ku na ru
Word origin
The native Japanese verb 覚める (sameru, "to awaken") comes from the older form 覚む (samu, "to awaken").
Usage tips
- In everyday Japanese, 覚める (sameru) focuses on leaving sleep, while 起きる (okiru) often focuses on getting out of bed.
Opposites
- 眠るnemurusleepverb