Translation guide
The state of not getting enough sleep, often due to lifestyle, work, or medical reasons. Japanese expressions range from casual to medical, with some emphasizing lack of sleep and others the resulting drowsiness.
To describe the condition of not having slept enough, in everyday conversation.
To refer to sleep deprivation as a medical condition or in formal writing.
To focus on the feeling of sleepiness or exhaustion caused by lack of sleep.
Adjective meaning 'sleepy' or 'drowsy.' The most direct way to express the result of sleep deprivation.
Avoid directly translating 'sleep deprivation' as 睡眠剥奪 (すいみんはくだつ). This is not a natural Japanese expression. Use 睡眠不足 instead.
The most common and neutral term for sleep deprivation or insufficient sleep. Used in both casual and formal contexts.
Lately, I can't concentrate because of sleep deprivation.
Continuous sleep deprivation is bad for your health.
A more casual, colloquial version of 睡眠不足. Commonly used in daily speech.
I couldn't sleep much last night, so I'm sleep-deprived.
Literally 'haven't slept.' A very casual way to say you're sleep-deprived, often implying you pulled an all-nighter or got very little sleep.
I pulled an all-nighter yesterday and haven't slept at all.
Sleep deprivation syndrome causes various symptoms due to chronic lack of sleep.
Total sleep deprivation, often used in scientific experiments or extreme situations. Not used in daily conversation.
In the sleep deprivation experiment, participants were required to stay awake for over 24 hours.
I was sleepy all day because of sleep deprivation.
Literally 'not having slept enough.' Emphasizes the insufficiency of sleep.
I still feel like I haven't slept enough.