寝坊した
nebōshita
In Japanese, 'I overslept' is expressed as 寝坊した (nebōshita).
This phrase is used when someone sleeps past their intended wake-up time. It is commonly used as an excuse or an explanation for being late to appointments, work or school.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun 寝坊 (nebō) literally means 'sleeping late' or 'oversleeping'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The informal form 寝坊した is used with friends or family. To be polite when apologizing to a boss, teacher or stranger, you should use the formal version 寝坊しました. The colloquial form 寝坊しちゃった can also be used to express that you overslept in a more casual, conversational manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
Using the past tense expresses that the act of oversleeping has already occurred.
How do you pronounce it?
nebōshita
Did you know?
- The word 寝坊 (nebō) contains the character 坊 (bō), which historically refers to a priest or a young boy, suggesting a sense of 'boyishness' or lack of discipline in the act of oversleeping.
- In Japanese culture, citing 寝坊 (nebō) as a reason for being late to work is often viewed as more irresponsible than citing a 'train delay', which is a socially acceptable excuse.
- When apologizing for oversleeping in a professional setting, many Japanese people will follow 寝坊しました (nebō shimashita) with a deep bow to show that the mistake was a lapse in self-management.
Examples in context
- 私は寝坊した。I overslept.This sentence shows a basic statement of having overslept using 寝坊した.Tatoeba #2226347 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #258769 by CK
- 寝坊したから、学校に遅刻した。I overslept so I was late to school.This sentence uses 寝坊した to explain why someone was late to school.Tatoeba #4342532 by small_snow, translation #4342502 by CK
- ごめん、寝坊したから30分遅れる。Sorry, I'm 30 minutes late because I overslept.This sentence uses 寝坊した to apologize and explain a 30-minute delay.Tatoeba #3699925 by tommy_san, translation #3962591 by JSakuragi
- 寝坊して遅刻したI overslept and was late
- 寝坊して大変だったI overslept, and it was terrible
- 寝過ごしてしまいましたI mistakenly slept in
- 寝坊しちゃってごめんなさいI'm sorry for oversleeping
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are talking on the phone in the morning.
- 結衣 Yuiごめん、寝坊した！Gomen, nebou shita!Sorry, I overslept!
- 陽太 Yota大丈夫？急いで準備して。Daijoubu? Isoide junbi shite.Are you okay? Hurry up and get ready.
- 結衣 Yui今すぐ家を出るね。Ima sugu ie o deru ne.I'll leave the house right now.
- 陽太 Yota気をつけて来てね。Ki o tsukete kite ne.Come carefully.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
