Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of staying up all night is commonly expressed with the verb 徹夜する (tetsuya suru), which specifically means to stay up all night, often for work or study. There are also related expressions for staying up late (but not necessarily all night) and for pulling an all-nighter in casual contexts.
To express that someone stays awake the entire night, typically to work, study, or finish a task.
This is the standard verb meaning 'to stay up all night.' It implies a deliberate choice, often for work or study. It can also be used as a noun (徹夜).
昨日は徹夜してレポートを書きました。
I stayed up all night writing the report yesterday.
徹夜は体に良くないですよ。
Staying up all night is not good for your health.
Literally 'to be awake all night.' This is a more descriptive phrase and can be used when the all-nighter is not necessarily for work (e.g., due to insomnia or a party).
赤ちゃんが泣いて、一晩中起きていた。
The baby was crying and I was up all night.
Means 'to do something all night long.' It attaches to the continuative form of a verb (e.g., 働き通す). It emphasizes the continuous action through the night.
彼は夜通し働いた。
He worked all night.
From English 'all (night),' this is a casual slang verb used among young people, often for staying up all night talking, playing games, or partying. Not suitable for formal contexts.
友達とカラオケでオールした。
I pulled an all-nighter at karaoke with friends.
To express staying awake until very late, but not necessarily until morning.
This means 'to stay up late,' often past one's usual bedtime. It does not necessarily imply the entire night. It can be used for both intentional (watching TV) and unintentional (can't sleep) situations.
昨夜は夜更かしして映画を見た。
I stayed up late watching a movie last night.
夜更かしは肌に悪い。
Staying up late is bad for your skin.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'to stay up until late.' It is neutral and can be used in various contexts.
昨日は遅くまで起きていた。
I stayed up late yesterday.
To express the act of staying up all night in a very casual, often student-like context, similar to 'pulling an all-nighter.'
徹夜 (tetsuya) means staying up all night until morning, often for a specific task. 夜更かし (yofukashi) means staying up late, but not necessarily until dawn. If you only stayed up until 2 AM, use 夜更かし, not 徹夜.
徹夜 implies a voluntary action. If you couldn't sleep due to insomnia, use 眠れなかった (couldn't sleep) or 一晩中起きていた (was awake all night) instead.
このプロジェクトを終わらせるために徹夜しなければならない。
I have to pull an all-nighter to finish this project.
彼女はよく夜更かしして小説を読んでいる。
She often stays up late reading novels.