Translation guide
To sleep lightly or briefly, often unintentionally or in a relaxed setting.
To fall into a light sleep without planning to, often while sitting or during a quiet moment.
The most common word for dozing off unintentionally, especially while sitting (e.g., in class, at work, on a train). Can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (居眠りする).
I dozed off during the meeting.
I like dozing on the train.
A light nap or doze, often while sitting or reclining, without intending to sleep deeply. Slightly more literary or poetic than 居眠り.
I was dozing on the sofa.
An onomatopoeic phrase describing the state of nodding off or being half-asleep. Very common and natural for describing the act of dozing.
I dozed off in the warm room.
Dozing off while driving is dangerous.
Onomatopoeic phrase for the head-nodding motion of dozing off while sitting. Often used for someone fighting sleep.
He was nodding off in class.
To take a short, light sleep on purpose, often to refresh oneself.
A short nap taken intentionally, often to restore energy. Common in work or study contexts. Used with する (仮眠する) or 取る (仮眠を取る).
I took a nap during my lunch break.
Let's take a short nap in the nap room.
Specifically a daytime nap or siesta. Can be intentional or unintentional, but usually implies a proper sleep rather than just dozing.
To be in a drowsy, semi-conscious state, not fully asleep.
To doze or be in a light, pleasant sleep. Often used for a peaceful, dreamy state. More literary than うとうとする.
I was dozing in the spring warmth.
Onomatopoeic phrase for drifting in and out of sleep. Similar to うとうとする but emphasizes the intermittent nature.
I was dozing on and off while watching TV.
居眠り is unintentional dozing, often in public or while sitting. うたた寝 is a light, casual nap, sometimes intentional but not deep. 仮眠 is a planned short sleep for recovery, common in work settings.
寝る (neru) means 'to sleep' in general. Using it for 'doze' can sound like you went to bed fully. Use the specific dozing words to convey light, brief sleep.
I often take a nap on my days off.