half-asleep; dozing; drowsy
Describes the state of being not fully awake, often just after waking or when falling asleep. Commonly used in the phrase 寝掛けに (while half-asleep).
I was startled when the phone rang while I was half-asleep.
I can't understand complicated talk with a half-asleep mind.
Formed from the continuative stem of 寝る and 掛け, which marks an action just beginning or still incomplete; it refers to the point of falling asleep or being only partly asleep.