Translation guide
How to express 'go to bed' in Japanese, from simply going to sleep to more formal or specific expressions.
The most common, everyday way to say you are going to bed or going to sleep.
The basic verb for 'sleep' or 'go to bed'. Used in casual and neutral contexts. Can mean both 'go to bed' and 'sleep'.
A slightly more formal or literary expression meaning 'to go to bed' or 'to retire for the night'. Literally 'to take to one's bed'.
Formal, often used in announcements or written instructions. Means 'to go to bed' or 'to retire'.
Lights out, so please go to bed.
Emphasizing the action of getting into bed or lying down to sleep.
Literally 'enter the futon/bedding'. The most natural way to say you physically get into bed to sleep.
Talking about the time you go to bed.
Use 早く (early) or 遅く (late) with 寝る to specify when you go to bed.
Telling someone to go to bed.
A firm but standard way to tell a child or subordinate to go to bed. The imperative form of 寝る.
It's late, so go to bed.
Polite or formal expressions for going to bed, often used in service contexts or with superiors.
Very polite way to say 'I will go to bed/rest'. Literally 'I will humbly receive the favor of resting'. Used when excusing oneself for the night in formal settings.
寝る (neru) means 'go to bed' or 'lie down to sleep', while 眠る (nemuru) means 'to sleep' (the state of sleeping). You can 寝る without 眠る (e.g., lying in bed awake), but in many contexts 寝る is used for the whole process of going to bed and sleeping.
I went to bed, but I couldn't fall asleep for a while.
寝る is the everyday word. 床につく is slightly literary/formal and emphasizes the act of retiring. 就寝する is very formal and often used in institutional settings (e.g., hospitals, dorms).
What time do you usually go to bed?
彼はもう床についた。
He has already gone to bed.
It's cold, so let's get into bed early.
Same as above but specifically for a Western-style bed.
I'm tired, so I'm going to bed now.
I have an early start tomorrow, so I'll go to bed early tonight.
I always go to bed late on weekends.
Casual request. Used among family or close friends.
You're tired, right? Go to bed early.
The standard 'good night', which implies 'go to bed' when said to someone.
It's late, so good night (go to bed).
I'll go to bed before you (if you'll excuse me).
Honorific expression for when someone else goes to bed. Used to show respect.
The company president has already gone to bed.
I went to bed at 10 p.m.
The children have already gone to bed.