Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 起きる | okiru | [o̞kʲiɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 目覚める | mezameru | [me̞za̠me̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 目を覚ます | me o samasu | [me̞ o̞ sa̠ma̠sɨ] (narrow) |
The term 目覚める refers to the act of becoming conscious or stopping sleep. It can be used metaphorically to describe the awakening of a sense, such as a sense of justice or the awakening of a talent. To describe the specific moment of waking up from a dream or a state of deep sleep, the word 覚めた (sameta) is used. For a much more intense, profound or spiritual sense of awakening, such as deep self-realization, the formal term 覚醒する (kakusei suru) is used.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 目覚める is composed of 目 (eye) and 覚める (to wake up or become conscious).
Which one should you use?
While 目覚める refers to the physiological act of waking up or becoming conscious, 起きる (okiru) is more commonly used to describe the physical act of getting out of bed (to get up).
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 目覚める is 目覚めた.
How do you pronounce it?
mezameru
Did you know?
- The word 起きる was recorded as early as the 8th century in the Man'yōshū, the oldest existing collection of Japanese poetry.
- Because 目覚める focuses on the eyes, it is often used in literature to emphasize the first sight of something upon waking.
Examples in context
- 外を眺める者は夢を見るが、内を眺める者は目を覚ます。Those who look outward dream, but those who look inward awaken.The sentence is useful for illustrating the contrast between looking outward and looking inward using 目を覚ます.Tatoeba #1629247 by Meow, translation #1634796 by mikekchar
- 朝目を覚ますと、心地よい風が窓から差し込んできました。When I woke up in the morning, a pleasant breeze was coming through the window.
- 昨夜は夢から目覚めて、現実に戻されたような気持ちです。I woke up from a dream last night and felt like I was brought back to reality.
- 私はあなたが新たな可能性に目覚めることを願っています。I hope you awaken to new possibilities.
- 朝、早く目覚める。asa, hayaku mezameru.I awake early in the morning.
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are talking about their morning routines.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔さんはいつも何時に目覚める？Hiroto-san wa itsumo nan-ji ni mezameru?What time do you usually awaken, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hirotoだいたい朝六時に目覚めるよ。daitai asa roku-ji ni mezameru yo.I usually awaken around six in the morning.
- 美咲 Misaki早すぎるね！私はもっと遅いよ。hayasugiru ne! watashi wa motto osoi yo.That's too early! I'm much later.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さんは何時に起きるの？Misaki-san wa nan-ji ni okiru no?What time do you wake up, Misaki?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “awaken” translations and entries 起きる, 目覚める, 目を覚ます, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 目を覚ます, 起きる, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
