Translation guide
How to express 'snooze' in Japanese, covering short naps, the snooze button, and dozing off.
To take a brief sleep, often to refresh oneself.
The most common word for a daytime nap. It literally means 'afternoon sleep' but can refer to any short daytime nap.
I felt refreshed after taking a nap.
A short nap, often used in work or study contexts. Slightly more formal than 昼寝.
I got sleepy while driving, so I took a nap.
A doze or nap taken unintentionally, often while sitting or lying down without planning to sleep.
I dozed off on the sofa.
A short sleep, often used in the phrase 一眠りする (to take a nap). Casual.
Let's take a quick nap.
To delay the alarm for a few minutes.
The loanword for 'snooze' as a function on alarm clocks. Commonly used in Japanese.
I hit the snooze button and slept for another 5 minutes.
Literally 'stop the alarm'. Not exactly 'snooze', but often used when you silence the alarm temporarily.
I turned off the alarm and went back to sleep.
To fall asleep for a very short time, often unintentionally.
Dozing off while sitting, especially in a meeting, class, or at work. Often has a negative connotation.
I dozed off during the meeting.
To doze off, to be half-asleep. Describes the state of nodding off.
I dozed off in the warm room.
昼寝 is a general nap, often at home. 仮眠 is a planned short sleep, like a power nap. 居眠り is dozing off unintentionally, often in public.
I often take a nap on my days off.
I take a nap before the night shift.
I dozed off on the train and missed my stop.