睡眠

• Reading: すいみん
• Romaji: suimin
• Kanji breakdown: 睡 (sui) — drowsy, doze; 眠 (min) — sleep
• Pronunciation: /sɯ.i.mi.n/

Meaning

Sleep; slumber. A formal or scientific term for the state of sleeping.

A noun often used in health, medical, and academic contexts rather than casual conversation (where 眠り or 寝る is preferred). Common collocations include 睡眠時間 (hours of sleep), 睡眠不足 (lack of sleep), and 睡眠をとる (to get sleep).

Examples

1. 睡眠不足が続くと体調を崩しやすい。 If you keep not getting enough sleep, you're more likely to get sick.
2. 毎日七時間の睡眠をとるようにしている。 I try to get seven hours of sleep every day.
3. 質のいい睡眠が健康には大切だ。 Quality sleep is important for good health.

Usage Guide

Context: health, medicine, lifestyle

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 睡 (drowsy, to doze) and 眠 (sleep, to sleep). Both kanji contain the 目 (eye) radical, reflecting the closing of eyes during sleep.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal