When you feel like sleeping, you use the adjective ねむい (nemui). It describes the state of being sleepy. For example, if you stayed up late watching a movie, you might feel ねむい the next morning. You can use it to talk about yourself or others. It's a common and practical word to express tiredness.
When you're feeling sleepy and want to express that in Japanese, the word you'll use is ねむい (nemui). This is a common adjective that directly translates to 'sleepy' in English. It describes the state of feeling tired and wanting to sleep.
You can use it in simple sentences to convey your feeling, for example, 'I am sleepy' or 'He is sleepy.' Remember that like many Japanese adjectives, its form might change slightly depending on how it's used in a sentence, but the core meaning of feeling sleepy remains the same. Mastering ねむい is a useful step in describing your physical state.
When you feel ねむい (nemui), it means you are sleepy. It's an adjective, so it directly describes your state of being. You can use it to say things like ねむいから、もう寝ます。 (Nemui kara, mou nemasu. - I'm sleepy, so I'm going to sleep now.) or 今日はねむいですね。 (Kyou wa nemui desu ne. - I'm sleepy today, aren't I?).
You might also hear people say 眠い！ (Nemui!) as a quick exclamation when they suddenly feel tired. It's a very common and useful word to express this feeling in Japanese. You can also combine it with other phrases to explain why you are sleepy, such as 勉強しすぎてねむいです。 (Benkyou shisugite nemui desu. - I studied too much and now I'm sleepy.)
When using "ねむい" (nemui) as an adjective, it means "sleepy." For example, you can say 「ねむい です」 (nemui desu) to mean "I am sleepy." Or, to describe a sleepy person, you might say 「ねむい ひと」 (nemui hito), which translates to "a sleepy person."
It's important to remember that it's an い-adjective, so it conjugates directly. For instance, to say "I was sleepy," you would change it to 「ねむかった です」 (nemukatta desu).
The Japanese word ねむい (nemui) is an adjective. It means "sleepy." It's used when you feel like you need to sleep or are tired and drowsy. Think of it like the English "sleepy" – you'd use it in almost the exact same situations. It describes a state of feeling ready for sleep.You'll hear and use ねむい very often in daily conversations in Japan. It's a fundamental word for expressing a common human feeling. Whether you stayed up too late studying, woke up too early for work, or just feel a bit groggy after a long day, ねむい is the word you'll reach for.As an i-adjective, ねむい can directly modify a noun or end a sentence. For example, if you want to say "I am sleepy," you would simply say 「ねむいです。」 (Nemui desu.). The です (desu) here makes the sentence polite. If you are speaking casually with friends or family, you can just say 「ねむい。」 (Nemui.).You can also use ねむい to describe something that makes you sleepy. For instance, 「ねむい本」 (nemui hon) could mean a "sleepy book" or a "boring book that makes you sleepy." While this usage is less common than describing a person's state, it's good to be aware of.It's important to distinguish ねむい from other words related to tiredness, like つかれた (tsukareta), which means "tired" (from physical or mental exertion). You can be ねむい without being つかれた, and vice-versa. For example, you might feel ねむい after a big meal, even if you haven't done anything physically demanding. Conversely, you might be つかれた after a hard workout but not necessarily ねむい.
DEFINITION
Sleepy. Feeling drowsy or in need of sleep.
Here are some examples of how ねむい is used in sentences:
今日はとてもねむいです。(Kyou wa totemo nemui desu.)
(Today, I am very sleepy.)
ねむいから、もう寝ます。(Nemui kara, mou nemasu.)
(Because I'm sleepy, I'll go to sleep now.)
授業中、すごくねむくなった。(Jugyouchuu, sugoku nemuku natta.)
(During class, I became very sleepy.)
朝からずっとねむいです。(Asa kara zutto nemui desu.)
(I've been sleepy since morning.)
Notice the third example, where ねむい changes to ねむく. This is the adverbial form of the i-adjective, used when it modifies a verb (in this case, なる - naru, to become). This is a common grammatical pattern for i-adjectives that you will learn as you progress in Japanese.In summary, ねむい is your go-to word for expressing the feeling of sleepiness. It's simple, direct, and incredibly useful in everyday Japanese conversation. Master this word, and you'll be able to communicate a very common feeling effectively.
§ Understanding ねむい (nemui)
You've learned that ねむい (nemui) means 'sleepy'. This is a very common and useful adjective in Japanese. It's a straightforward way to express that you're feeling drowsy or tired and ready for sleep. Think of it as the direct equivalent of saying 'I'm sleepy' in English.
今日はとてもねむいです。 Kyou wa totemo nemui desu.
Hint: Today is very sleepy.
ねむいから、もう寝ます。 Nemui kara, mou nemasu.
Hint: Sleepy, so I'll go to sleep now.
§ Similar words for 'tired' or 'drowsy'
While ねむい specifically means 'sleepy', there are other words you'll encounter that describe similar feelings of fatigue or drowsiness. Knowing these will help you choose the most appropriate word for the situation.
つかれている (tsukareteiru)
This means 'tired' or 'exhausted'. It refers to physical or mental fatigue, not necessarily the desire to sleep. You can be つかれている from work or exercise, but not necessarily ねむい.
仕事でとてもつかれている。 Shigoto de totemo tsukareteiru.
Hint: Very tired from work.
眠たい (nemutai)
This is an alternative way to say 'sleepy' and is often interchangeable with ねむい. Some sources suggest 眠たい might carry a slightly softer or more nuanced feeling of wanting to sleep, but for practical purposes, especially at your level, you can consider them very similar. If you're just starting, stick with ねむい as it's slightly more common in everyday conversation.
目が眠たいです。 Me ga nemutai desu.
Hint: My eyes are sleepy.
眠気 (nemuke)
This is a noun meaning 'drowsiness' or 'sleepiness'. You'll often hear it used in phrases like 眠気がする (nemuke ga suru), which means 'to feel drowsy'. It refers to the sensation itself rather than describing a state of being.
眠気を感じます。 Nemuke o kanjimasu.
Hint: I feel drowsiness.
§ When to use ねむい vs. alternatives
Here's a simple guide to help you decide:
Use ねむい when you explicitly mean 'sleepy' – you want to go to sleep or feel like you could fall asleep. It's about the desire or readiness for sleep.
Use つかれている when you mean 'tired' from effort, work, or lack of rest, but not necessarily about wanting to sleep right now.
Use 眠たい if you want an alternative to ねむい. For most beginners, you can use them interchangeably.
Use 眠気 when you're talking about the 'sensation of sleepiness' as a noun.
How Formal Is It?
Formal
"眠気を感じますので、少し休憩させていただけますか？ (Nemuke o kanjimasu node, sukoshi kyūkei sasete itadakemasu ka?)"
い-adjectives like ねむい can directly modify nouns. For example, 「ねむい学生 (nemui gakusei)」 means 'a sleepy student'.
ねむい犬がソファで寝ています。
(A sleepy dog is sleeping on the sofa.)
To say 'I am sleepy', you can simply use 「ねむいです (nemui desu)」. Desu is a polite copula.
今日はとてもねむいです。
(I am very sleepy today.)
To make an い-adjective negative, you change the ending い to くない. So, 'not sleepy' is 「ねむくない (nemukunai)」.
まだ時間があるので、ねむくないです。
(There's still time, so I'm not sleepy.)
To connect an い-adjective to another clause, you change the ending い to くて. For example, 「ねむくて (nemukute)」 means 'being sleepy and...'.
ねむくて、宿題ができませんでした。
(I was sleepy, so I couldn't do my homework.)
To express past tense with an い-adjective, you change the ending い to かった. So, 'was sleepy' is 「ねむかったです (nemukatta desu)」.
昨日の夜は、とてもねむかったです。
(Last night, I was very sleepy.)
Exemplos por nível
1
昨日あまり寝ていないので、今日は一日中ねむいです。
I didn't sleep much yesterday, so I'm sleepy all day today.
〜ので (node): because; given that ~
2
授業中にねむくなって、うっかり居眠りをしてしまいました。
I got sleepy during class and accidentally dozed off.
〜てしまう (te shimau): indicates an action is completed, often with a sense of regret or something unexpected happening
3
運転中にねむ気を感じたら、すぐに休憩を取りましょう。
If you feel sleepy while driving, take a break immediately.
〜たら (tara): if/when ~
4
朝早く起きると、午後にはいつもねむくなります。
When I wake up early, I always get sleepy in the afternoon.
〜と (to): if/when ~ (general truth or natural consequence)
5
この本は面白すぎて、ねむくなる暇もありません。
This book is so interesting that I don't even have time to get sleepy.
〜暇 (hima): free time; spare time
6
食後はいつもねむくて、集中力が低下します。
I'm always sleepy after meals and my concentration drops.
〜くて (kute): connective form of i-adjective, meaning 'and' or 'because'
7
ねむい目をこすりながら、なんとか仕事を終えました。
Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I somehow finished my work.
〜ながら (nagara): while doing ~ (simultaneous actions)
8
最近、夜更かしが続いているせいで、毎日ねむい状態です。
Because I've been staying up late recently, I'm in a sleepy state every day.
〜せいで (sei de): because of ~ (often with a negative nuance)
1
昨日徹夜したので、今日は一日中ねむいです。
Yesterday I stayed up all night, so today I'm sleepy all day long.
2
授業中、先生の話が退屈でねむくて仕方なかった。
During class, the teacher's talk was boring and I couldn't help but feel sleepy.
3
暖房が効きすぎていて、部屋が暑いとすぐねむくなります。
When the heating is too strong and the room is hot, I quickly get sleepy.
4
食後すぐに横になるとねむくなるのは私だけでしょうか。
Am I the only one who gets sleepy immediately after eating and lying down?
5
この本を読むといつもねむくなるんです。
I always get sleepy when I read this book.
6
朝早く起きると、午後にはねむくて集中できません。
When I wake up early in the morning, I'm sleepy and can't concentrate in the afternoon.
7
電車の中で揺られていると、ついねむってしまいます。
When I'm being swayed in the train, I accidentally fall asleep.
8
ねむい目をこすりながら、なんとか仕事を終えました。
Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I somehow finished my work.
Colocações comuns
とても ねむいvery sleepy
すごく ねむいextremely sleepy
まだ ねむいstill sleepy
ちょっと ねむいa little sleepy
ひどく ねむいterribly sleepy
いつも ねむいalways sleepy
昼間（ひるま） ねむいsleepy during the day
授業中（じゅぎょうちゅう） ねむいsleepy during class
仕事中（しごとちゅう） ねむいsleepy during work
朝（あさ） ねむいsleepy in the morning
Frases Comuns
ねむい です。
I am sleepy.
ねむい です か？
Are you sleepy?
ちょっと ねむい です。
I'm a little sleepy.
すごく ねむいです。
I'm very sleepy.
もう ねむい です。
I'm already sleepy.
まだ ねむい。
Still sleepy.
ねむい から、寝（ね）ます。
Because I'm sleepy, I'll sleep.
ねむくて、集中（しゅうちゅう）できません。
I'm sleepy and can't concentrate.
私（わたし）はいつも ねむい。
I am always sleepy.
この映画（えいが）は ねむい。
This movie is boring (literally: sleepy).
Padrões gramaticais
い-adjective conjugation
reason/cause with から
time clause with とき
looks like with そうです
becoming/changing with くなる
informal question with の
formal question with ですか
noun modification with い-adjective
Expressões idiomáticas
"ねむい目をこする (nemui me o kosuru)"
Rub sleepy eyes (often implies being tired and trying to wake up)
朝早く起きて、ねむい目をこすりながら仕事に行った。
neutral
"ねむけがさす (nemuke ga sasu)"
Feel sleepy, drowsiness sets in
午後の会議中、ねむけがさして困った。
neutral
"ねむけを覚ます (nemuke o samasu)"
Wake oneself up from drowsiness, shake off sleepiness
コーヒーを飲んでねむけを覚ました。
neutral
"ねむい目をしばたたく (nemui me o shibatataku)"
Blink sleepy eyes (implies struggling to stay awake)
子供はねむい目をしばたかせながらテレビを見ていた。
neutral
"ねむいのに頑張る (nemui no ni ganbaru)"
To try hard despite being sleepy
試験前で、ねむいのに頑張って勉強した。
neutral
"ねむくてたまらない (nemukute tamaranai)"
Extremely sleepy, can't help but be sleepy
昨夜はあまり寝られなかったので、ねむくてたまらない。
informal
"ねむいから寝る (nemui kara neru)"
Going to sleep because one is sleepy (direct and common)
When you're tired and want to express that you're sleepy, use ねむい (nemui). It's a straightforward adjective. You can use it by itself, or with です (desu) for politeness, like ねむいです (nemui desu).
Example 1:
ねむい。 (Nemui.)
Hint: I'm sleepy.
Example 2:
ちょっとねむいです。 (Chotto nemui desu.)
Hint: I'm a little sleepy.
You can also use it to describe something that makes you sleepy.
Example 3:
この本はねむくなる。 (Kono hon wa nemuku naru.)
Hint: This book makes me sleepy.
Erros comuns
A common mistake is confusing ねむい (nemui) with つかれている (tsukarete iru), which means 'tired' or 'exhausted'. While being sleepy often implies being tired, they aren't always interchangeable. ねむい specifically refers to the feeling of needing to sleep.
Another mistake is using ねむい for the noun 'sleepiness'. For 'sleepiness', you would use ねむけ (nemuke).
Incorrect: 私はねむいがあります。(Watashi wa nemui ga arimasu.)
Hint: I have sleepy (incorrect usage).
Correct: 私はねむけがあります。(Watashi wa nemuke ga arimasu.)
Hint: I have sleepiness.
Dicas
Basic use of nemui
ねむい (nemui) is an い-adjective. This means it follows the same conjugation rules as other い-adjectives like さむい (samui - cold) or あつい (atsui - hot).
Sentence structure with nemui
To say 'I am sleepy,' you can simply use 「ねむいです。」(Nemui desu.). The です (desu) adds politeness. The subject 'I' is often omitted in Japanese when it's clear from context.
Asking if someone is sleepy
To ask 'Are you sleepy?', you add the question particle か (ka) to the end: 「ねむいですか。」(Nemui desu ka?).
Past tense of nemui
To say 'I was sleepy,' you change い (i) to かった (katta): 「ねむかったです。」(Nemukatta desu.).
Negative form of nemui
To say 'I am not sleepy,' you change い (i) to くない (kunai): 「ねむくないです。」(Nemukunai desu.).
Connecting nemui to nouns
You can use ねむい directly before a noun to describe it, for example, 「ねむい日」 (nemui hi - a sleepy day) or 「ねむい顔」 (nemui kao - a sleepy face).
Using nemui with verbs
To say 'I want to sleep' (because I'm sleepy), you might use ねむい in combination with 寝る (neru - to sleep). A common phrase is 「ねむいから寝たい。」(Nemui kara netai. - Because I'm sleepy, I want to sleep.)
Politeness levels with nemui
「ねむい」 is casual. For more polite situations, stick with 「ねむいです」. In very informal settings, just 「ねむい」 is fine among friends.
Using nemuke
The noun form of ねむい is ねむけ (nemuke), meaning sleepiness or drowsiness. For example, 「ねむけがします。」 (Nemuke ga shimasu. - I feel sleepy/drowsy.)
Common phrases with nemui
You might hear 「ねむいよ。」(Nemui yo. - I'm sleepy, you know.) or 「ああ、ねむい。」(Aa, nemui. - Oh, I'm sleepy.) as common expressions.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Imagine a 'NEMU' (sounds like 'NEMU') wearing a 'E' (sounds like 'EE') hat, trying to stay awake but constantly nodding off because he's so sleepy.
Associação visual
Picture yourself in a cozy, warm futon (ふとん), slowly drifting off to sleep. The feeling of 'ねむい' (nemui) is heavy, like your eyelids are heavy.
Word Web
ベッド (beddo - bed)あくび (akubi - yawn)つかれる (tsukareru - to be tired)コーヒー (kōhī - coffee)朝 (asa - morning)
Desafio
Describe three different situations in Japanese where you might feel ねむい (nemui). For example, '授業の後、ねむい。' (After class, I'm sleepy.)
Pratique na vida real
Contextos reais
Feeling sleepy after a long day.
今日は一日中とても忙しかったから、ねむい。
I was so busy all day today, so I'm sleepy.
仕事の後、いつもねむい。
I'm always sleepy after work.
もう夜遅いから、ねむい。
It's late at night already, so I'm sleepy.
Wanting to go to sleep.
ねむいから、もう寝たい。
I'm sleepy, so I want to go to sleep now.
本当にねむい、ベッドに行こう。
I'm really sleepy, let's go to bed.
ねむい。おやすみなさい。
I'm sleepy. Good night.
Explaining why you're not focusing.
ねむいから、集中できない。
I'm sleepy, so I can't concentrate.
ごめん、ちょっとねむいんだ。
Sorry, I'm a little sleepy.
朝早くから起きてるから、ねむい。
I've been up since early in the morning, so I'm sleepy.
Talking about a child feeling sleepy.
子供がねむいと言っている。
The child is saying they're sleepy.
赤ちゃんがねむそうにしている。
The baby looks sleepy.
もうすぐお昼寝の時間だから、ねむいでしょう。
It's almost nap time, so you must be sleepy.
Asking someone if they are sleepy.
ねむいですか？
Are you sleepy?
もしかして、ねむい？
Are you sleepy, perhaps?
ちょっとねむそうに見えるけど、大丈夫？
You look a little sleepy, are you okay?
Iniciadores de conversa
"最近、いつ一番ねむいと感じますか？"
"ねむい時、どうしますか？"
"夜更かしした次の日、どれくらいねむいですか？"
"あなたの国では、ねむい時によく飲むものはありますか？"
"仕事中や勉強中にねむいと感じたら、どう対処しますか？"
Temas para diário
今日一日を振り返って、いつねむいと感じましたか？その理由は何ですか？
あなたがねむい時に感じる感情や、体の変化について詳しく書いてみましょう。
ねむいと感じることは、あなたの生活にどのような影響を与えますか？具体的な例を挙げてみましょう。
もしねむいという感情がなくなったら、あなたの生活はどう変わると思いますか？
一番リラックスできる、ねむい時の過ごし方について書いてみましょう。
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntas
The most common way to say 'sleepy' in Japanese is ねむい (nemui).
ねむい (nemui) is an い-adjective. It directly describes a noun, like 'sleepy person' (ねむい人 - nemui hito), or can be used with です (desu) to say 'I am sleepy' (ねむいです - nemui desu).
You can use ねむい just like an English adjective. For example: 今日はねむい。 (Kyou wa nemui.) - I'm sleepy today. ねむい猫。 (Nemui neko.) - A sleepy cat.
ねむい (nemui) and ねむたい (nemutai) are very similar and often interchangeable. ねむい is generally more common and expresses a simple state of being sleepy. ねむたい can sometimes carry a slightly stronger nuance of feeling a bit heavy-lidded or wanting to sleep. For everyday use, ねむい is perfectly fine.
To make ねむい negative, you change the い to くない. So, 'not sleepy' is ねむくない (nemukunai). Example: 今日はねむくない。 (Kyou wa nemukunai.) - I'm not sleepy today.
To say 'I became sleepy,' you change ねむい to ねむくなった (nemukunatta). This uses the past tense of the -くなる (kuru naru) ending for adjectives. Example: 映画を見ていたら、ねむくなった。 (Eiga o mite itara, nemukunatta.) - I got sleepy while watching the movie.
No, ねむい describes the state of being sleepy. If you want to say something is 'sleep-inducing' or 'makes you sleepy,' you would use different phrases, such as 眠くなる (nemuku naru - 'to become sleepy') or 眠気を誘う (nemuke o sasou - 'to induce sleepiness').
The polite way to say 'I'm sleepy' is ねむいです (nemui desu).
To make ねむい past tense, you change the い to かった. So, 'was sleepy' is ねむかった (nemukatta). Example: 昨日はねむかった。 (Kinou wa nemukatta.) - I was sleepy yesterday.
Yes, a common phrase is ねむい目をこする (nemui me o kosuru), which means 'to rub one's sleepy eyes.' Example: 朝、ねむい目をこすった。 (Asa, nemui me o kosutta.) - I rubbed my sleepy eyes in the morning.
Teste-se
84 perguntas
multiple choice
A1
Choose the correct hiragana for 'nemui'.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: ねむい
The correct hiragana for 'nemui' (sleepy) is ねむい.
multiple choice
A1
Which of these means 'sleepy'?
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: ねむい
ねむい (nemui) means sleepy. たかい (takai) means tall/expensive, ちいさい (chiisai) means small, and おおきい (ookii) means big.
multiple choice
A1
How do you say 'I am sleepy' in Japanese?
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: ねむいです
ねむいです (nemui desu) means 'I am sleepy'. さむいです (samui desu) means 'It is cold', あついです (atsui desu) means 'It is hot', and げんきです (genki desu) means 'I am well'.
true false
A1
The word ねむい means 'hungry'.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Falso
ねむい (nemui) means 'sleepy', not 'hungry'. The word for hungry is おなかがすいた (onaka ga suita).
true false
A1
You can use ねむい to describe how you feel.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Verdadeiro
Yes, ねむい (nemui) is an adjective used to describe the feeling of being sleepy.
true false
A1
The pronunciation of ねむい is 'nemoo-ee'.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Falso
The pronunciation of ねむい is 'ne-mu-i', with each syllable pronounced clearly, not 'nemoo-ee'.
listening
A1
Listen to the sentence. Someone is expressing a feeling.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: ねむい です。
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa:
listening
A1
Listen to the sentence. Who is sleepy?
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: わたし は ねむい です。
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa:
listening
A1
Listen to the sentence. How sleepy is he?
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: かれ は とても ねむい です。
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking
A1
Read this aloud:
ねむい
Focus: ね (ne), む (mu), い (i)
Você disse:
AI is analyzing your pronunciation...
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking
A1
Read this aloud:
わたし は ねむい です。
Focus: わたし (watashi), ねむい (nemui), です (desu)
Você disse:
AI is analyzing your pronunciation...
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking
A1
Read this aloud:
あなたは ねむい ですか。
Focus: あなた (anata), ねむい (nemui), ですか (desuka)
Você disse:
AI is analyzing your pronunciation...
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa:
sentence order
A1
Toque nas palavras abaixo para montar a frase
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: 私は ねむい です
This sentence means 'I am sleepy.' The particle 'は' (wa) marks '私' (watashi - I) as the topic. 'です' (desu) is a polite copula.
sentence order
A1
Toque nas palavras abaixo para montar a frase
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: あなたは ねむい ですか
This sentence means 'Are you sleepy?' The particle 'か' (ka) at the end makes it a question.
sentence order
A1
Toque nas palavras abaixo para montar a frase
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: とても ねむい です
This sentence means 'I am very sleepy.' 'とても' (totemo) means 'very' and modifies the adjective 'ねむい' (nemui - sleepy).
multiple choice
A2
Choose the correct English translation for 「ねむい」.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Sleepy
「ねむい」 (nemui) directly translates to 'sleepy' in English.
multiple choice
A2
Which sentence correctly uses 「ねむい」?
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: わたしは ねむいです。
「わたしは ねむいです。」 (Watashi wa nemui desu.) means 'I am sleepy.' The other options are 'I eat rice,' 'I am fine/healthy,' and 'I am hot.'
multiple choice
A2
If someone says 「ねむいですか？」 (Nemui desu ka?), what are they asking?
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Are you sleepy?
「ねむいですか？」 is a question asking if someone is sleepy. The 'ですか' particle makes it a polite question.
true false
A2
「ねむい」 is an adjective.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Verdadeiro
Yes, 「ねむい」 is an i-adjective in Japanese, meaning 'sleepy.'
true false
A2
You can use 「ねむい」 to describe a delicious meal.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Falso
No, 「ねむい」 means 'sleepy' and is used to describe a feeling of wanting to sleep, not food.
true false
A2
If you just woke up, you would typically say 「ねむい」.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Falso
Usually, after waking up, you would not say 「ねむい」 (sleepy). You might say you are refreshed or awake. You would say 「ねむい」 if you feel like going to sleep.
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Correto!Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking
A2
Read this aloud:
もうねむいです。
Focus: もう (mō)
Você disse:
AI is analyzing your pronunciation...
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Correto!Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking
A2
Read this aloud:
ちょっとねむいですが、がんばります。
Focus: がんばります (ganbarimasu)
Você disse:
AI is analyzing your pronunciation...
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa:
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B1
昨夜あまり寝られなかったので、今日はとても___。
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: ねむい
文脈から、昨夜あまり寝られなかったので「ねむい」（sleepy）が適切です。
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B1
授業中、先生の話が面白くなくて、つい___なってしまった。
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: ねむく
「〜なる」の前には形容詞の連用形が来ます。「ねむい」の連用形は「ねむく」です。
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B1
長いフライトの後、空港に着いたらすぐに___て、ベッドに飛び込んだ。
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: ねむく
長いフライトの後で、すぐにベッドに飛び込んだという状況から、「ねむく」が適切です。
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B1
会議の途中で、突然___が襲ってきて、目を閉じそうになった。
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: ねむけ
「ねむけ」は「眠気」と書き、眠たい気持ちや眠気を指す名詞です。
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B1
昨夜、遅くまで勉強したので、朝起きるのがとても___かったです。
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: ねむ
形容詞「ねむい」の過去形は「ねむかった」です。ここでは「ねむ」が適切です。
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B1
この薬を飲むと、少し___なることがあるので、運転は避けてください。
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: ねむく
薬の副作用として「ねむく」（sleepy）なる可能性があるので、運転を避けるように指示しています。
multiple choice
B1
Choose the correct kanji for 'sleepy'.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: 眠い
眠い (nemui) means sleepy. The other options are 閉い (shimai - close), 遠い (tooi - far), and 辛い (karai - spicy/hard).
multiple choice
B1
Which sentence correctly uses 'ねむい'?
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: 私はとてもねむいです。
ねむい is an i-adjective, so it can directly take です. The other options are grammatically incorrect in this context.
multiple choice
B1
What is the most natural response if someone says,「ねむいですね。」(You look sleepy, don't you?)
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: はい、とてもねむいです。
If someone comments that you look sleepy, the most natural agreement is 'Yes, I'm very sleepy.'
true false
B1
You can use ねむい to describe a boring movie that makes you want to sleep.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Verdadeiro
While 'ねむい' primarily means physically sleepy, it can also be used colloquially to describe something so boring it induces sleepiness, similar to 'sleep-inducing' in English.
true false
B1
ねむい can be used to describe someone who is already asleep.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Falso
ねむい describes the state of being sleepy or feeling sleepy. If someone is already asleep, you would use expressions like '寝ている' (nete iru - is sleeping).
true false
B1
The past tense of ねむい is ねむかった。
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Verdadeiro
For i-adjectives, to form the past tense, you replace the final い with かった.
sentence order
B1
Toque nas palavras abaixo para montar a frase
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: 私は眠いです
This sentence means 'I am sleepy'. In Japanese, the subject often comes first, followed by the adjective, and then the politeness marker 'です' (desu).
sentence order
B1
Toque nas palavras abaixo para montar a frase
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: 今日はとても眠いです
This sentence means 'Today, I am very sleepy'. '今日は' (kyou wa) means 'today', and 'とても' (totemo) means 'very'.
sentence order
B1
Toque nas palavras abaixo para montar a frase
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: 朝からずっと眠いです
This sentence means 'I've been sleepy since morning'. '朝から' (asa kara) means 'since morning', and 'ずっと' (zutto) means 'continuously' or 'all the time'.
multiple choice
B2
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼はいつも授業中に___そうな顔をしている。
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: ねむそう
「ねむそう」is the correct form to express 'looks sleepy' or 'seems sleepy'.
multiple choice
B2
Which sentence correctly uses 「ねむい」?
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: ねむくて、もう勉強できません。
「ねむくて」is the te-form of 「ねむい」and is used to connect reasons or causes to subsequent actions or states. The other options are grammatically incorrect.
multiple choice
B2
Select the best response to: 「昨日の夜はよく眠れましたか？」(Did you sleep well last night?)
This response correctly uses 「ねむい」to express being sleepy due to not sleeping well, making it the most natural and grammatically correct option.
true false
B2
「ねむい」can be used to describe an object that makes you sleepy.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Falso
「ねむい」is an i-adjective that describes a person's state of feeling sleepy. To describe something that makes you sleepy, you would use phrases like 「眠気を誘う」 (nemuke o sasou) or 「眠くなる」 (nemukunaru).
true false
B2
The past tense of 「ねむい」is 「ねむかった」.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Verdadeiro
For i-adjectives, the past tense is formed by changing the final い to かった. So, ねむい becomes ねむかった.
true false
B2
「ねむい」is typically used in formal business settings.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Falso
While 「ねむい」is a common adjective, it's generally too casual for formal business settings. In a formal context, you might say 「眠気を感じております」 (nemuke o kanjite orimasu - I feel sleepy) or express apologies for being tired if necessary.
listening
B2
The speaker is explaining why they are sleepy today.
「ねむい気持ち」 (sleepy feeling) is a common and natural way to express the sensation of being sleepy. The other options are grammatically incorrect or semantically unnatural.
multiple choice
C2
When someone says 「もうねむくて、目が開けられない」, what are they most likely experiencing?
「もうねむくて、目が開けられない」 translates to 'I'm so sleepy I can't keep my eyes open,' clearly indicating extreme sleepiness.
true false
C2
「ねむい」 can be used to describe an inanimate object that is about to fall asleep.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Falso
「ねむい」 describes the state of being sleepy for living beings, not inanimate objects.
true false
C2
If you hear someone yawn and say 「あぁ、ねむい」, they are probably expressing that they are tired.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Verdadeiro
Yawning is a common indicator of sleepiness, and 「あぁ、ねむい」 is a direct expression of being tired or sleepy.
true false
C2
「ねむい」 is typically used when you want to describe someone who is feeling energetic and wide awake.
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: Falso
「ねむい」 means sleepy, which is the opposite of feeling energetic and wide awake.
writing
C2
Imagine you're an insomniac due to overworking. Describe your chronic sleepiness and how it affects your daily life, using advanced vocabulary related to exhaustion and mental fogginess.
Well written!Good try! Check the sample answer below.
You are a character in a complex historical drama. Write a short diary entry reflecting on a politically charged meeting you just attended, expressing your profound weariness and distrust of the other participants, using sophisticated expressions for mental exhaustion and cynicism.
Well written!Good try! Check the sample answer below.
You are a philosopher contemplating the human condition in modern society. Write an essay excerpt discussing how the relentless demands of contemporary life lead to a pervasive sense of existential sleepiness or apathy, using abstract and intellectual vocabulary.
Well written!Good try! Check the sample answer below.
This sentence means 'I'm incredibly sleepy.' 'たまりません' (tamarimasen) expresses an uncontrollable state or feeling. It's a common phrase to emphasize a strong emotion, in this case, sleepiness.
sentence order
C2
Toque nas palavras abaixo para montar a frase
Correto!Quase. Resposta certa: 仕事中なのに眠くて集中できない
This means 'Even though I'm at work, I'm so sleepy I can't concentrate.' 'なのに' (nanoni) is a conjunction meaning 'even though' or 'despite,' indicating a contrast between being at work and being unable to concentrate due to sleepiness.
This translates to 'I didn't sleep much last night, so I'm very sleepy today.' '〜なかったので' (nakatta node) is the past negative form of a verb plus 'ので' (node), which means 'because' or 'so,' explaining the reason for the current sleepiness.
/ 84 correct
Perfect score!
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Basic use of nemui
ねむい (nemui) is an い-adjective. This means it follows the same conjugation rules as other い-adjectives like さむい (samui - cold) or あつい (atsui - hot).
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Sentence structure with nemui
To say 'I am sleepy,' you can simply use 「ねむいです。」(Nemui desu.). The です (desu) adds politeness. The subject 'I' is often omitted in Japanese when it's clear from context.
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Asking if someone is sleepy
To ask 'Are you sleepy?', you add the question particle か (ka) to the end: 「ねむいですか。」(Nemui desu ka?).
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Past tense of nemui
To say 'I was sleepy,' you change い (i) to かった (katta): 「ねむかったです。」(Nemukatta desu.).
