Translation guide
The English word "wake" has several distinct meanings: to stop sleeping, a funeral gathering, the trail behind a boat, and the aftermath of an event. Each meaning requires different Japanese expressions.
To stop sleeping, or to cause someone to stop sleeping.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to get up' or 'to wake up'. Used when someone wakes up on their own.
I wake up at 6 every morning.
Transitive verb meaning 'to wake someone up'. Use this when you wake another person.
My mother woke me up at 7.
Literally 'eyes open/clear'. Means 'to wake up' naturally, often implying becoming fully conscious.
I woke up because of a loud noise.
Transitive version of 目が覚める. Means 'to wake someone up' or 'to open one's eyes'.
He woke up (opened his eyes).
Formal or technical term for 'awaken', often used in medical or metaphorical contexts.
He awoke from a coma.
A vigil or gathering held before a funeral, where people pay respects to the deceased.
The track of waves left by a moving ship or boat.
The aftermath or consequences following an event, often used in phrases like 'in the wake of'.
Pattern meaning 'in the wake of' or 'following'. Used for events or situations.
In the wake of the typhoon, flooding occurred.
Literally 'in the aftermath/ripples of'. Often used for indirect effects.
A concise pattern meaning 'in response to' or 'following', often used in news.
起きる means 'to get up' (leave bed), while 目が覚める means 'to wake up' (become conscious). You can 目が覚める without 起きる if you stay in bed.
I woke up but didn't get up yet.
起こす is transitive (wake someone), 起きる is intransitive (wake up oneself). Using the wrong one can change the meaning entirely.
I attended the wake.
The wake washed ashore.
In the wake of the economic crisis, many companies went bankrupt.
In the wake of the incident, security was tightened.