Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

寝返る (ねがえる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

寝ね返がえる

ね

が

え

る

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

roll over in bed; turn over

Physical action of turning one's body while lying down, typically in bed.

夜よ中なかに何なん度ども寝ね返がえった。
I rolled over many times during the night.

2

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

change sides; betray

Metaphorical use: switching allegiance, betraying a group or person.

彼かれは敵てき側がわに寝ね返がえった。
He went over to the enemy side.

Kanji

寝lie down, sleep, rest
返return, answer, fade

Similar words

裏うら切ぎる
裏切る is a general transitive verb for betrayal, while 寝返る is intransitive and emphasizes switching sides, often with a physical or metaphorical 'turning' nuance.

Etymology

Compound of 寝 (ne, 'sleep') and 返る (kaeru, 'turn over, return'). The literal meaning 'roll over in bed' extended metaphorically to 'change sides, betray'.