“To wake up” in Japanese is 起きる (おきる), pronounced okiru.
Pronunciation
The word has 3 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To get up or wake up. To wake someone else is 起こす.
Example sentences
- 毎朝六時に起きます。まいあさろくじにおきます。I get up at six every morning.
- もう起きましたか。もうおきましたか。Are you up yet?
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 起きる. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 起きる おきる | wake up |
| Polite present | 起きます おきます | wake up |
| Polite negative | 起きません おきません | don’t wake up |
| Polite past | 起きました おきました | past of “wake up” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 起きない おきない | don’t wake up (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 起きた おきた | past of “wake up” (casual) |
| て-form | 起きて おきて | wake up and… / please wake up (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 起きたい おきたい | want to wake up |
Quick practice
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Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to wake up in Japanese?
To wake up in Japanese is 起きる (おきる), pronounced “okiru”.
How do you write to wake up in Japanese?
It's written 起きる with kanji, or おきる in hiragana. Both are read okiru.
Is 起きる on the JLPT?
Yes. 起きる (okiru) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.