“To sleep” in Japanese is 寝る (ねる), pronounced neru.
Pronunciation
The word has 2 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To sleep or go to bed. “I’m asleep” uses the ongoing form: 寝ています.
Example sentences
- 毎晩十一時に寝ます。まいばんじゅういちじにねます。I go to bed at eleven every night.
- 赤ちゃんが寝ています。あかちゃんがねています。The baby is sleeping.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 寝る. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 寝る ねる | sleep |
| Polite present | 寝ます ねます | sleep |
| Polite negative | 寝ません ねません | don’t sleep |
| Polite past | 寝ました ねました | past of “sleep” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 寝ない ねない | don’t sleep (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 寝た ねた | past of “sleep” (casual) |
| て-form | 寝て ねて | sleep and… / please sleep (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 寝たい ねたい | want to sleep |
Quick practice
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Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to sleep in Japanese?
To sleep in Japanese is 寝る (ねる), pronounced “neru”.
How do you write to sleep in Japanese?
It's written 寝る with kanji, or ねる in hiragana. Both are read neru.
Is 寝る on the JLPT?
Yes. 寝る (neru) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.