sleep / sleepy
N3- Onyomi
- ミン
- Kunyomi
- ねむ(る)
- Stroke count
- 10
- 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 bed made up for someone to rest in: that is what 眠 means — sleep / sleepy. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 目 (eye) — an eye stood on its end, pupil lines inside. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 10
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10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 10 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
眠い
nemui
sleepy
眠いです
nemuidesu
polite: is sleepy
眠くないです
nemukunaidesu
polite negative: is not sleepy
眠かったです
nemukattadesu
polite past: was sleepy
Example sentences (5)
昨日あまり寝なかったので、眠いです。
きのう あまり ねなかった ので、ねむい です。
kinou amari nenakatta node, nemui desu.
I did not sleep much last night, so I am sleepy.
眠いときは、少し歩くようにしています。
ねむい とき は、すこし あるく よう に しています。
nemui toki wa, sukoshi aruku you ni shiteimasu.
When I am sleepy, I make a point of walking a little.
眠かったですが、我慢して働きました。
ねむかった です が、がまん して はたらきました。
nemukatta desu ga, gaman shite hatarakimashita.
I was sleepy, but I bore it and kept working.
眠りが浅くて、夜中に何度も目が覚めてしまいます。
ねむり が あさくて、よなか に なんど も め が さめて しまいます。
nemuri ga asakute, yonaka ni nando mo me ga samete shimaimasu.
My sleep is light, so I keep waking up during the night.
柔らかいベッドより、硬いベッドのほうがよく眠れます。
やわらかい べっど より、かたい べっど の ほう が よく ねむれます。
yawarakai beddo yori, katai beddo no hou ga yoku nemuremasu.
I sleep better on a firm bed than on a soft one.