Translation guide
How to express the act of going to sleep in Japanese, from casual to formal, including falling asleep and going to bed.
Expressing the action of going to sleep or going to bed in everyday conversation.
The most common and versatile verb for 'to sleep' or 'to go to bed'. Can mean both 'to lie down to sleep' and 'to fall asleep'.
Focuses on the state of sleeping or falling asleep, rather than the act of going to bed. More literary or formal than 寝る.
A slightly formal or literary expression meaning 'to go to bed' or 'to retire for the night'.
Describing the moment of transitioning from awake to asleep.
Means 'to fall asleep', often used when it takes time or effort.
Expressing going to sleep in polite or formal situations.
Means 'to rest' and is often used as a polite euphemism for going to sleep, especially in business or formal contexts.
Expressing the intention or preparation to go to sleep.
Means 'I think I'll go to sleep' or 'I'm planning to go to bed'. A natural way to announce your intention.
The baby is sleeping peacefully.
彼はいつも早く床につく。
He always goes to bed early.
I couldn't fall asleep for a long time.
A slightly poetic or formal way to say 'to fall asleep'.
I fell asleep listening to quiet music.
Means 'to fall asleep', often implying a deep sleep. Less common in daily speech.
The child fell asleep right away.
I'll go to bed now (lit. I'll rest before you).
A formal term for 'going to bed' or 'retiring for the night', used in official contexts like hotels or announcements.
Lights out is at 10 o'clock.
I think I'll go to bed soon.
Literally 'to prepare for bed', used when you are getting ready to sleep.
I'll call you after I get ready for bed.
He is deeply asleep.
English 'going to sleep' is an action, while 'sleeping' is a state. In Japanese, 寝ている (nete iru) means 'is sleeping', not 'is going to sleep'.
He is sleeping now.