What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of yoku (well), nemure (the potential form of "to sleep") and mashita ka (a polite past tense question marker).
Which one should you use?
While the default form is よく眠れましたか？, the informal variations よく寝た？ and よく眠れた？ can also be used to ask if someone slept well.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form よく眠れましたか？ is polite and suitable for use with acquaintances or superiors. In contrast, the informal versions よく寝た？ and よく眠れた？ are used with friends or family.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb uses the potential form nemure (can sleep/was able to sleep) rather than the simple past nemashita (slept) to imply the ability to sleep soundly.
How do you pronounce it?
yoku nemuremashita ka?
When do people say it?
A standard positive response to this question is はい、よく眠れました。 (Yes, I slept well). If you did not sleep well, a standard negative response is いいえ、あまり眠れませんでした。 (No, I couldn't sleep much).
Did you know?
- Because Japanese culture often values indirectness, a person might answer ちょっと… (a little…) instead of a direct 'no' to avoid sounding too negative or complaining about their sleep.
- In Japanese, the subject 'you' is almost always omitted in the phrase よく眠れましたか？ Adding 'anata' (you) would actually make the question sound unnatural or strangely intense.
- If you are staying at a traditional Japanese inn, or ryokan, the staff may use this phrase to check on your comfort, acting as a subtle way to ensure your stay is perfect without being intrusive.
Examples in context
- お客様、お休みなさいましたか？Excuse me, did you sleep well, sir/madam?
- 社長、お休みになられましたか？Boss, did you sleep well?
- 昨日はよく寝た？Did you sleep well yesterday?
- 元気？よく眠れた？Hey, feeling good? Did you sleep well?
- 昨夜はよく眠れましたか？sakuya wa yoku nemuremashita ka?Did you sleep well last night?
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are having breakfast together.
- 陽太 Yotaおはよう、美咲。よく眠れましたか？Ohayou, Misaki. Yoku nemuremashita ka?Good morning, Misaki. Did you sleep well?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、ぐっすり眠れました。Hai, gussuri nemuremashita.Yes, I slept soundly.
- 陽太 Yotaそれはよかったですね。Sore wa yokatta desu ne.That's good to hear.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんはどうでしたか？Youta-san wa dou deshita ka?How about you, Yota?
