眠る
nemuruTo fall asleep or be in a state of sleep.
赤ちゃんはすぐに眠ります。
The baby falls asleep quickly.
疲れて眠ってしまった。
I was so tired that I fell asleep.
The verb '眠る' is intransitive and typically refers to the natural state of sleeping. It can be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
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💡Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Usage
While '眠る' is more formal, '寝る' is the standard way to say 'to sleep' in everyday conversation.
⚡Gold Rule
Intransitive Verb
'眠る' is an intransitive verb and does not take a direct object. For example, you cannot say '眠る夢' (to sleep a dream).
📖Word Origin
The kanji '眠' (nemu) is derived from the combination of '目' (eye) and '免' (to avoid), symbolizing the act of closing one's eyes to sleep.
📝Usage Notes
'眠る' is more formal and literary compared to '寝る' (neru), which is more commonly used in everyday speech. '眠る' can also be used metaphorically to describe inactivity or stagnation.