Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
寝に就く (しんにつく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-ku)
go to bed ; retire for the night
A somewhat formal or literary expression for going to bed, often implying a deliberate act of lying down to sleep. More common in written or polite contexts than in casual speech.
寝しん
に
就つ
い
た
。
I was tired, so I went to bed early.
Kanji 就 concerning, settle, take position Similar words 寝ね る 寝る is the common, everyday verb for 'to sleep' or 'to go to bed'. 寝に就く is more formal and emphasizes the act of retiring to bed.
就しゅう 寝しん する 就寝する is a more formal, Sino-Japanese compound meaning 'to go to bed', often used in official or written contexts. 寝に就く is slightly less stiff but still literary.
Etymology Composed of 寝 (しん, 'sleep', on'yomi) + に (particle) + 就く (つく, 'to take up a position'). The phrase literally means 'to take to one's sleep'. The reading しん for 寝 is a literary on'yomi; the more common kun'yomi is ね.