Japanese verbs have conjugations.「寝る」is a verb and means “sleep” or “will sleep.” We will teach you the conjugation on this page. You can also learn example sentences using verb conjugations.
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Vocabulary Video
Before you learn the conjugations, please learn about the pronunciation of the verb in dictionary and polite forms.
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Dictionary Form/ます Form
As you know, English tenses are roughly divided into present, future, and past tenses. However, it is said that Japanese tenses consist only of “Past Tense” and “Non-Past Tense.” Therefore, we used “Dictionary Form,” not “Present Tense” in this heading.
Japanese people use two types of language. One is “non-honorific language” and the other is “honorific language.” When we focus on these languages, “dictionary” and “plain” forms are in “non-honorific language.” “Polite form” is in honorific language.
English Meaning: sleep, will sleep
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Dictionary & Plain Form | 寝る | neru |
| ます & Polite Form | 寝ます | nemasu |
「辞書形 (dictionary form)」is the original form. The technical term is for non-native Japanese speakers. Therefore, native Japanese usually do not know the word.「ます形 (ます form)」is the polite form of a dictionary form. The term is also for non-native Japanese speakers.
I’ll sleep at 11 o’clock tonight.
今晩は１１時に寝る。 (Plain Form)
今晩は１１時に寝ます。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: do not sleep, will not sleep
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 寝ない | nenai |
| Polite Form | 寝ません | nemasen |
I won’t sleep at 11 o’clock tonight.
今晩は１１時に寝ない。(Plain Form)
今晩は１１時に寝ません。(Polite Form)
Past Tense
English Meaning: slept
The plain form is in “た form”. “た form” is also a technical term for non-native Japanese speakers. Therefore, native Japanese usually do not know the word.
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| た & Plain Form | 寝た | neta |
| Polite Form | 寝ました | nemashita |
I slept at 11 o’clock yesterday.
昨日は１１時に寝た。(Plain Form)
昨日は１１時に寝ました。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: did not sleep
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 寝なかった | nenakatta |
| Polite Form | 寝ませんでした | nemasendeshita |
I didn’t sleep at 11 o’clock yesterday.
昨日は１１時に寝なかった。(Plain Form)
昨日は１１時に寝ませんでした。(Polite Form)
て Form
English Meaning: N/A
We cannot know the exact meaning without knowing the sentence and situation.
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading | |
| て Form | 寝て | nete |
About the phrases「ている」and「ています」: Here
About the phrase「～てください。」: Here
I slept a lot and felt great.
たくさん寝て元気になりました。(Polite Form)
In this case,「て」means “and” or “after.”
Volitional Form 1: Will, (Own) Intention, Determination
English Meaning: will sleep
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading | |
| Plain Form | 寝よう | neyō |
| Polite Form | N/A | N/A |
This phrase is used only in plain form. This is because we use it when we talk to ourselves or think in our minds. When we talk or think to ourselves, we usually do not use the polite form.
I’ll sleep early today.
今日は早く寝よう。(Plain Form)
Volitional Form 2: Solicitation, Intention, Invitation
English Meaning: let’s sleep
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading | |
| Plain Form | 寝よう | neyō |
| Polite Form | 寝ましょう | nemashyō |
Let’s sleep early today!
今日は早く寝よう。(Plain Form)
今日は早く寝ましょう。(Polite Form)
Potential
English Meaning: can sleep/be able to sleep
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 寝られる | nerareru |
| Polite Form | 寝られます | neraremasu |
I’ll sleep soundly today.
今日はぐっすり寝られる。(Plain Form)
今日はぐっすり寝られます。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: cannot sleep/not able to sleep
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 寝られない | nerarenai |
| Polite Form | 寝られません | neraremasen |
I can’t sleep because my father’s snore is so loud.
父のいびきがうるさくて寝られない。(Plain Form)
父のいびきがうるさくて寝られません。(Polite Form)
Imperative Form
English Meaning: sleep! (order, command)
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 寝ろ | nero |
Sleep early!
早く寝ろ。(Plain Form)
“Imperative form” is used only in plain form and this phrase often becomes rude depending on the situation. Please show us your Japanese when you use it. We will check and teach suitable Japanese.
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Prohibition and Order
English Meaning: do not sleep!
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 寝るな | neruna |
Don’t sleep here!
ここで寝るな。(Plain Form)
Conditional Form
English Meaning: if (subject) sleep
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| 寝れば | nereba |
If you sleep here, you’ll catch a cold.
ここで寝れば、風邪をひくでしょう。(Polite Form)
Hypothetical/Definite Conditions, Sequence of Actions
English Meanings: if/when ~ sleep, ~ slept and ~
The form「～たら」has different usages. It has other meanings except from those listed above. More explanations are in our conversation lessons or mail support.
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| 寝たら | netara |
Here is an example sentence wherein「たら」indicates a “sequence of actions.”
After I slept for a week, my flu was cured.
一週間寝たら、インフルエンザが治りました。(Polite Form)
Causative Form
English Meaning: make/let/have (person) sleep
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 寝させる | nesaseru |
| Polite Form | 寝させます | nesasemasu |
I’ll make my daughter sleep.
娘を寝させる。(Plain Form)
娘を寝させます。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: do not make/let/have (person) sleep
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 寝させない | nesasenai |
| Polite Form | 寝させません | nesasemasen |
My pet dog won’t let me sleep.
ペットの犬が私を寝させない。 (Plain Form)
ペットの犬が私を寝させません。(Polite Form)
To Learn Correct Verb Conjugations
Japanese verb conjugation is too complicated and there are many learners who use it incorrectly. Therefore, we provide lessons and services where we teach and correct your Japanese daily. If you want to know more about the details, please check out our website.
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