Word Detail

The Japanese word 就寝 (しゅうしん) means "going to bed," "retiring for the night," or "to bed." It refers to the act of going to sleep or the time when one goes to sleep. It is a formal word, often used in announcements, schedules, or more formal writing. 就寝 implies a conscious decision to go to sleep rather than simply falling asleep.

⚫︎ 毎日、午後10時に就寝します。 Translation: I go to bed at 10 p.m. every day. ⚫︎ 皆様、そろそろ就寝の時間です。 Translation: Everyone, it's about time to go to bed. ⚫︎ 飛行機は22時に就寝体制に入ります。 Translation: The plane will enter the sleeping mode at 10 p.m.

⚫︎ 就寝 is used in situations where a degree of formality is appropriate. ⚫︎ It is common in announcements in hotels, hospitals, or on public transportation, to indicate when lights will be turned off or when quiet hours begin. ⚫︎ You'd also find it in formal letters or written schedules. ⚫︎ It is less common in everyday spoken conversation where a simpler phrase like 寝る (neru) – "to sleep" – would suffice.

⚫︎ 就寝 is written using the kanji 就 (shuu), meaning "to engage in" or "to start," and 寝 (shin), meaning "to sleep." ⚫︎ The reading is しゅうしん (shuushin). ⚫︎ It is not typically written in katakana. ⚫︎ There are no variations in okurigana.

⚫︎ 寝る (neru) - "to sleep" (more casual) ⚫︎ 寝入る (neiru) - "to fall asleep" ⚫︎ おやすみ (oyasumi) - "good night" (used as a greeting)

⚫︎ 起床 (kichou) - "getting up," "waking up"

今日の午後は、早く就寝して、明日の会議に備えよう。 ・Translation: This afternoon, let's go to bed early and prepare for tomorrow's meeting. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 就寝 to emphasize the planned act of going to bed early.

病院では、午後9時に就寝時間になります。 ・Translation: In the hospital, the bedtime is 9 p.m. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 就寝 in a formal setting, such as a hospital, to indicate the time when patients should go to bed.

The word 就寝 is a compound word, formed from 就 (shuu) and 寝 (shin). The kanji 就 often carries the meaning of starting or engaging in an action, while 寝 specifically relates to sleep. Together, they combine to indicate the commencement of the act of sleeping.