Translation guide
The English phrase 'lie down' refers to the action of moving into a horizontal position, usually to rest or sleep. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 横になる (yoko ni naru), but other expressions exist depending on context, such as going to bed, lying face down, or stretching out.
To move from a standing or sitting position to lying flat, typically for a short rest or because of tiredness.
The most common and natural way to say 'lie down' in Japanese. It literally means 'become horizontal' and is used for lying down to rest, nap, or relax.
ちょっと横になってもいいですか。
May I lie down for a bit?
I'm tired, so I want to lie down for a while.
Means to lie down casually, often on the floor or a sofa, in a relaxed manner. It implies sprawling out rather than just resting.
子供たちが床に寝転んでテレビを見ている。
The kids are lying down on the floor watching TV.
A more literary or formal word for lying down, often used for inanimate objects or in descriptive writing. Not common in daily conversation.
彼は芝生の上に横たわっていた。
He was lying down on the grass.
To lie down with the intention of sleeping, either for the night or a nap.
The standard verb for 'go to bed' or 'sleep'. It implies lying down to sleep, not just resting. Often used when talking about going to bed at night.
もう遅いから寝よう。
It's late, so let's go to bed.
昨日は早く寝た。
I went to bed early yesterday.
A formal or literary expression meaning 'to retire to bed'. Used in writing or polite speech.
To lie down with the front of the body facing downward.
Specifically means to lie face down. Commonly used in medical or relaxation contexts.
マッサージの間、うつ伏せになってください。
Please lie face down during the massage.
To lie down with the front of the body facing upward.
Specifically means to lie on one's back, face up. Used in contexts like sleeping, relaxing, or medical examinations.
仰向けになって星を見た。
I lay on my back and looked at the stars.
To lie down with the body fully extended, often to relax completely.
Literally 'become the character 大', meaning to lie spread-eagled, with arms and legs outstretched. Conveys a sense of total relaxation.
家に帰って大の字になって寝た。
I went home and lay spread-eagled on the bed.
To be confined to bed because of sickness.
Means to be laid up in bed due to illness. It implies being unable to get up and carry on normal activities.
風邪で三日間寝込んでいた。
I was laid up in bed with a cold for three days.
A formal expression meaning to be confined to a sickbed. Used in writing or news reports.
彼は長い間病床に伏している。
He has been bedridden for a long time.
横になる (yoko ni naru) means to lie down, often for a short rest without necessarily sleeping. 寝る (neru) means to go to bed or sleep. If you say 寝る, it implies you intend to sleep. 横になる can be used when you just want to rest your body.
疲れたから少し横になる。
I'm tired, so I'll lie down for a bit.
疲れたからもう寝る。
I'm tired, so I'm going to bed.
The verb 伏せる (fuseru) can mean to lie face down, but it often has a nuance of hiding or crouching, not simply resting. For general lying down, use 横になる or 寝転ぶ.
ちょっと横になろうと思う。
I think I'll lie down for a while.
彼はソファに横になって寝てしまった。
He lay down on the sofa and fell asleep.
医者に横になるように言われた。
The doctor told me to lie down.
彼は毎晩十時に床に就く。
He goes to bed at ten every night.