sleep
N3- Onyomi
- シン
- Kunyomi
- ね(る)
- Stroke count
- 13
- JLPT
- N3
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Picture a person resting under a blanket in bed: that is what 寝 means — sleep. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 宀 (roof) — a roof stretched over the whole house. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 13
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は13画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 13 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
寝る
neru
to sleep
寝て
nete
sleep — te-form
寝ます
nemasu
sleep — polite present
寝ました
nemashita
sleep — polite past
寝てください
nete kudasai
sleep — request: please ~
Example sentences (5)
毎晩、十一時に寝ます。
まいばん、じゅういちじ に ねます。
maiban, juuichiji ni nemasu.
I go to bed at eleven every night.
昨日は早く寝ました。
きのう は はやく ねました。
kinou wa hayaku nemashita.
I went to bed early yesterday.
寝る前に復習すると、覚えやすいそうです。
ねる まえ に ふくしゅう する と、おぼえやすい そう です。
neru mae ni fukushuu suru to, oboeyasui sou desu.
They say that reviewing before bed makes it easier to remember.
寝不足のときは、頭の働きが鈍くなるようです。
ねぶそく の とき は、あたま の はたらき が にぶく なる よう です。
nebusoku no toki wa, atama no hataraki ga nibuku naru you desu.
When you are short on sleep, your mind seems to work more slowly.
寝不足の状態で運転するのは危ないです。
ねぶそく の じょうたい で うんてん する の は あぶない です。
nebusoku no joutai de unten suru no wa abunai desu.
Driving in a sleep-deprived state is dangerous.