Meaning
to sleep; to go to bed; to lie down
Nuance & Usage
寝る means both "to sleep" and "to go to bed / lie down." The polite form 寝ます is neutral and appropriate in most situations. In very formal writing, 就寝する (shuushin suru) is used instead. The phrase 寝る前に (neru mae ni) meaning "before sleeping" is extremely common and useful in everyday speech.
Common Mistakes
English speakers sometimes say 寝ている to mean "I am sleeping" when they mean "I went to sleep" (寝た) or "I am in bed" (寝ている correctly describes an ongoing state). Also, don't confuse 寝る (to sleep/lie down) with 眠る (nemuru), which specifically means to be in a state of sleep and sounds more literary.
Example Sentences
昨日は十時に寝ました。
きのうはじゅうじにねました。
I went to bed at ten o'clock yesterday.
寝る前に歯を磨いてください。
ねるまえにはをみがいてください。
Please brush your teeth before going to bed.
もう寝てもいいですか？
もうねてもいいですか？
Is it okay if I go to sleep now?
Quick Quiz
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