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.
I stayed up all night writing the report yesterday.
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).
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.
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.
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.
I stayed up late watching a movie last night.
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.
To express the act of staying up all night in a very casual, often student-like context, similar to 'pulling an all-nighter.'
Short for 完全徹夜 (kanzen tetsuya), meaning 'complete all-nighter.' It emphasizes going without any sleep at all. Often used among students.
I pulled an all-nighter before the exam.
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.
I have to pull an all-nighter to finish this project.
She often stays up late reading novels.
I stayed up late yesterday.