Verb Conjugation「寝る (neru)」sleep, will sleep | Learn Japanese Grammar

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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When you do not know how to use the conjugation, please learn about it in our conversation lessons or our mail support. In our mail support, we check your Japanese every time. If you have an internet connection and a PC/smartphone, you can learn Japanese with us all over the world.
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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

PositiveConjugationRomaji Reading
Dictionary & Plain Formneru
ます & Polite Form寝ますnemasu

辞書じしょけい (dictionary form)」is the original form. The technical term is for non-native Japanese speakers. Therefore, native Japanese usually do not know the word.「ますけい (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.

今晩こんやは11に寝る。 (Plain Form)
今晩は11時に寝ます。(Polite Form)

English Meaning: do not sleep, will not sleep

NegativeConjugationRomaji Reading
Plain Formないnenai
Polite Form寝ませんnemasen

I won’t sleep at 11 o’clock tonight.

今晩こんやは11時にない。(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.

PositiveConjugationRomaji Reading
た & Plain Formneta
Polite Form寝ましたnemashita

I slept at 11 o’clock yesterday.

昨日きのうは11に寝た。(Plain Form)
昨日は11時に寝ました。(Polite Form)

English Meaning: did not sleep

NegativeConjugationRomaji Reading
Plain Formなかったnenakatta
Polite Form寝ませんでしたnemasendeshita

I didn’t sleep at 11 o’clock yesterday.

昨日きのうは11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.

ConjugationRomaji Reading
て Formnete

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.

たくさん元気げんきになりました。(Polite Form)

In this case,「て」means “and” or “after.”

Volitional Form 1: Will, (Own) Intention, Determination

English Meaning: will sleep

ConjugationRomaji Reading
Plain Formようneyō
Polite FormN/AN/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.

今日きょうはやく寝よう。(Plain Form)

Volitional Form 2: Solicitation, Intention, Invitation

English Meaning: let’s sleep

ConjugationRomaji Reading
Plain Formようneyō
Polite Form寝ましょうnemashyō

Let’s sleep early today!

今日きょうはやく寝よう。(Plain Form)
今日は早く寝ましょう。(Polite Form)

Potential

English Meaning: can sleep/be able to sleep

PositiveConjugationRomaji Reading
Plain Formられるnerareru
Polite Form寝られますneraremasu

I’ll be able to sleep soundly today.

今日きょう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

NegativeConjugationRomaji Reading
Plain Form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.

ちち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)

PositiveConjugationRomaji Reading
Plain Formnero

Sleep early!

はやく寝ろ。(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!

NegativeConjugationRomaji Reading
Plain Formるなneruna

Don’t sleep here!

ここで寝るな。(Plain Form)

Conditional Form

English Meaning: if (subject) sleep

ConjugationRomaji Reading
ればnereba

If you sleep here, you’ll catch a cold.

ここで寝れば、風邪かぜをひくでしょう。(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.

ConjugationRomaji Reading
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.

一週間いっしゅうかん寝たら、インフルエンザがなおりました。(Polite Form)

Causative Form

English Meaning: make/let/have (person) sleep

PositiveConjugationRomaji Reading
Plain Formさせるnesaseru
Polite Form寝させますnesasemasu

I’ll make my daughter sleep.

むすめを寝させる。(Plain Form)
娘を寝させます。(Polite Form)

English Meaning: do not make/let/have (person) sleep

NegativeConjugationRomaji Reading
Plain Formさせないnesasenai
Polite Form寝させませんnesasemasen

My pet dog won’t let me sleep.

ペットのいぬわたしを寝させない。 (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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Verb Conjugation