Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Sleep" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "sleep", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
寝ます
ねます (nemasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
おやすみになる
おやすみになる (oyasumi ni naru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "sleep" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 寝ます and おやすみになる.
In Japanese, 寝ます (ねます (nemasu)) is typically associated with "to sleep, to go to bed" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite form of 寝る.
On the other hand, おやすみになる (おやすみになる (oyasumi ni naru)) maps to "to sleep, to rest (honorific form of 寝る/休む)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Honorific form of 寝る. A literal translation of "sleep" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "寝ます"
私は毎日11時に寝ます。
I go to bed at 11 PM every day.
Bilingual Context for "おやすみになる"
社長はもうおやすみになりました。
The president has already gone to rest/sleep.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "私は毎日11時に ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I go to bed at 11 PM every day.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "寝ます" fits here because it means "to sleep, to go to bed" in the context of: "I go to bed at 11 PM every day.". "おやすみになる" represents "to sleep, to rest (honorific form of 寝る/休む)".