Hello, I’m Kodak.
How do you say “nap” in Japanese?
The simplest and most useful answer is 昼寝 (hirune).
It does not have to happen at exactly noon, and it does not have to come immediately after lunch. If you intentionally sleep for a while during the day, 昼寝 is usually the most natural word.
昼寝 (hirune)
⇒ a daytime nap
⇒ sleeping for a while during the day
昼寝する / 昼寝をする
⇒ to take a nap
お昼寝 (ohirune)
⇒ a softer or more familiar way to say “nap,” often used with children
However, Japanese has several words that English may translate as nap or doze. The right word depends on whether the sleep is planned, accidental, daytime, or taken for practical recovery.
① what hirune means in Japanese
② how to write and pronounce 昼寝
③ how to say “take a nap” naturally
④ what お昼寝 (ohirune) means
⑤ how 昼寝 differs from 居眠り, うたた寝, 仮眠, and 午睡
⑥ natural example sentences and mini conversations
⑦ common mistakes made by Japanese beginners
- 1 What Does Hirune (昼寝) Mean in Japanese?
- 2 How to Write and Pronounce Hirune
- 3 The Literal Meaning of Hirune: 昼 + 寝
- 4 How to Say “Take a Nap” in Japanese
- 5 What Does Ohirune (お昼寝) Mean?
- 6 What Does Hirune-chū (昼寝中) Mean?
- 7 When Do Japanese People Use Hirune?
- 8 Hirune vs Inemuri: What Is the Difference?
- 9 Hirune vs Utatane: What Is the Difference?
- 10 Hirune vs Kamin: What Is the Difference?
- 11 Hirune vs Gosui: What Is the Difference?
- 12 Quick Comparison: Japanese Words for “Nap”
- 13 Is Hirune Used Only for Children?
- 14 Is Hirune a Japanese Cultural Practice?
- 15 Natural Example Sentences with Hirune
- 16 Mini Conversations Using Hirune
- 17 Useful Phrases Related to Hirune
- 18 Common Beginner Mistakes
- 19 FAQ About Hirune
- 19.1 What does hirune mean in Japanese?
- 19.2 How do you say “take a nap” in Japanese?
- 19.3 What does ohirune mean?
- 19.4 What is the difference between hirune and inemuri?
- 19.5 What is the difference between hirune and utatane?
- 19.6 What is the difference between hirune and kamin?
- 19.7 What is the difference between hirune and gosui?
- 19.8 Is hirune only used for children?
- 19.9 How do you say “I took a nap” in Japanese?
- 19.10 How do you say “The baby is taking a nap” in Japanese?
- 20 Summary: The Meaning and Usage of Hirune
- 21 Related Articles
- 22 References
What Does Hirune (昼寝) Mean in Japanese?
昼寝 means sleeping during the daytime or a daytime nap.
⇒ a nap
⇒ a daytime nap
⇒ daytime sleep
昼寝する
⇒ to nap
⇒ to take a nap
昼ご飯のあと、少し昼寝した。
Hirugohan no ato, sukoshi hirune shita.
I took a short nap after lunch.
今日は昼寝をしなかった。
Kyō wa hirune o shinakatta.
I did not take a nap today.
赤ちゃんは今、昼寝をしています。
Akachan wa ima, hirune o shite imasu.
The baby is taking a nap now.
To make it a verb, add する:
昼寝する ⇒ to nap
昼寝をする ⇒ to take a nap
Both forms are natural.
How to Write and Pronounce Hirune
Hiragana: ひるね
Romaji: hirune
Mora: ひ・る・ね (3 morae)
Word type: noun; also used with する
Pronounce the word in three even parts:
る (ru) — a short Japanese r sound
ね (ne) — similar to “neh”
Avoid giving the word heavy English stress such as “HEE-roo-NAY.” Japanese pronunciation is more even: hi-ru-ne.
It is part of the word itself, not the conversational particle ね.
The Literal Meaning of Hirune: 昼 + 寝
昼寝 is a very transparent compound word.
daytime; noon; the middle of the day
寝 (ne)
sleep; lying down to sleep
昼 + 寝
⇒ daytime sleep
⇒ a nap
That is why 昼寝 means a daytime nap rather than only a nap taken at exactly 12:00.
How to Say “Take a Nap” in Japanese
The two most common forms are:
hirune suru
to nap
昼寝をする
hirune o suru
to take a nap
The meaning is nearly the same. The version with を treats 昼寝 more clearly as a noun, while the version without を works as a common する-verb.
午後、昼寝する予定です。
Gogo, hirune suru yotei desu.
I plan to take a nap this afternoon.
毎日30分くらい昼寝をします。
Mainichi sanjup-pun kurai hirune o shimasu.
I take a nap for about 30 minutes every day.
Once you are comfortable with する-verbs, 昼寝する will also feel natural.
Useful Conjugations of 昼寝する
to take a nap
昼寝します
take a nap / will take a nap — polite
昼寝した
took a nap
昼寝している
is taking a nap
昼寝しない
do not take a nap
昼寝したい
want to take a nap
昼寝しよう
Let’s take a nap / I think I’ll take a nap
What Does Ohirune (お昼寝) Mean?
お昼寝 (ohirune) also means a nap. The prefix お gives the word a softer, more familiar, or more polite feeling.
It is especially common when talking about:
・nursery-school nap time
・pets
・a gentle or cute way of referring to one’s own nap
赤ちゃんはお昼寝中です。
Akachan wa ohirune-chū desu.
The baby is taking a nap.
そろそろお昼寝の時間ですよ。
Sorosoro ohirune no jikan desu yo.
It is almost nap time.
猫がお昼寝している。
Neko ga ohirune shite iru.
The cat is taking a nap.
However, 昼寝する is the more neutral expression. In formal writing or a serious workplace conversation, it is usually the safer choice.
What Does Hirune-chū (昼寝中) Mean?
The suffix 中 (chū) means that an activity is currently in progress.
hirune-chū
⇒ napping
⇒ in the middle of a nap
お昼寝中
ohirune-chū
⇒ taking a nap — softer or more familiar
父は今、昼寝中です。
Chichi wa ima, hirune-chū desu.
My father is taking a nap now.
お昼寝中なので、静かにしてください。
Ohirune-chū na node, shizuka ni shite kudasai.
Please be quiet because the baby is napping.
昼寝しています describes the action with a verb.
昼寝中です labels the current state as “nap in progress.”
Both are natural.
When Do Japanese People Use Hirune?
昼寝 is used when the daytime timing is important and the person intentionally or naturally sleeps for a while.
・a baby or child sleeps in the afternoon
・an adult rests after lunch
・someone takes a nap on a day off
・a pet sleeps during the day
・someone discusses a regular napping habit
・a person intentionally sleeps before an evening activity
休日はよく昼寝をする。
Kyūjitsu wa yoku hirune o suru.
I often take naps on my days off.
昼寝をしたら、少し元気になった。
Hirune o shitara, sukoshi genki ni natta.
I felt a little better after taking a nap.
長く昼寝をすると、夜眠れなくなる。
Nagaku hirune o suru to, yoru nemurenaku naru.
If I nap for too long, I cannot sleep at night.
Hirune vs Inemuri: What Is the Difference?
昼寝 and 居眠り can both be translated as nap or doze, but their core images are different.
A daytime nap. It is often intentional, and the person sets aside some time to sleep.
居眠り (inemuri)
Dozing while seated or while remaining in another situation, such as a class, meeting, or train ride. It is often unplanned.
You might call it 昼寝 if you intentionally use a long daytime journey as nap time, but the ordinary image of dozing on a commuter train is closer to 居眠り.
昼ご飯のあと、ベッドで昼寝した。
I took a nap in bed after lunch.
⇒ Planned daytime sleep.
会議中に居眠りしてしまった。
I accidentally dozed off during the meeting.
⇒ Unplanned sleep during another activity.
For a full explanation, see What Does Inemuri Mean? Japan’s “Sleeping at Work” Culture Explained.
Hirune vs Utatane: What Is the Difference?
うたた寝 (utatane) means a light, usually unintended sleep. It often happens while someone is relaxing, reading, or watching television.
A daytime nap; often intentional.
うたた寝
A light, unplanned sleep; the time of day is not the main point.
午後に30分昼寝した。
Gogo ni sanjup-pun hirune shita.
I took a 30-minute nap in the afternoon.
本を読みながら、うたた寝してしまった。
Hon o yominagara, utatane shite shimatta.
I dozed off while reading a book.
昼寝 emphasizes that it was daytime sleep.
うたた寝 emphasizes that you unintentionally drifted into a light sleep.
Hirune vs Kamin: What Is the Difference?
仮眠 (kamin) means a short, temporary sleep taken for practical recovery.
A nap during the daytime.
仮眠
A temporary short sleep, often taken before driving, during a night shift, or between tasks. It does not have to be daytime.
昼食後に昼寝をした。
Chūshokugo ni hirune o shita.
I took a nap after lunch.
夜勤の休憩中に仮眠を取った。
Yakin no kyūkei-chū ni kamin o totta.
I took a short sleep during my night-shift break.
If you emphasize a daytime nap, 昼寝 works.
If you emphasize a short, strategic sleep for recovery, 仮眠 is more precise.
Hirune vs Gosui: What Is the Difference?
午睡 (gosui) also means a daytime nap.
However, 昼寝 is the ordinary everyday word, while 午睡 sounds more literary, formal, or written.
everyday, conversational “nap”
午睡
formal or literary “daytime sleep / siesta”
子どもが昼寝をしている。
Kodomo ga hirune o shite iru.
The child is taking a nap.
木陰で午睡を楽しむ。
Kokage de gosui o tanoshimu.
To enjoy an afternoon nap in the shade.
For everyday speaking, 昼寝 is much more useful.
Quick Comparison: Japanese Words for “Nap”
| Japanese | Romaji | Core meaning | Usually planned? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 昼寝 | hirune | daytime nap | Often yes |
| お昼寝 | ohirune | soft/familiar “nap” | Often yes |
| 居眠り | inemuri | dozing while seated or present | Often no |
| うたた寝 | utatane | light, unintended sleep | Usually no |
| 仮眠 | kamin | short practical sleep | Usually yes |
| 午睡 | gosui | formal/literary daytime nap | Often yes |
① 昼寝 — a daytime nap
② 居眠り — accidentally dozing while seated
③ 仮眠 — a short practical sleep
These three cover many common situations.
Is Hirune Used Only for Children?
No. Adults, children, babies, and even animals can all 昼寝する.
祖父は毎日昼寝をする。
Sofu wa mainichi hirune o suru.
My grandfather takes a nap every day.
子どもたちは保育園でお昼寝をする。
Kodomotachi wa hoikuen de ohirune o suru.
The children take naps at nursery school.
犬が庭で昼寝している。
Inu ga niwa de hirune shite iru.
The dog is napping in the yard.
That tone fits the way adults often speak to young children, so expressions such as お昼寝の時間 are very common.
Is Hirune a Japanese Cultural Practice?
Taking a daytime nap is not uniquely Japanese. People nap in many cultures.
Historically, however, daytime rest has appeared in Japanese seasonal life and literature. Japanese dictionaries also classify 昼寝 as a summer seasonal word in haiku.
That historical background helps explain the seasonal image, although modern Japanese people can of course take a nap in any season.
Natural Example Sentences with Hirune
眠いから、少し昼寝する。
Nemui kara, sukoshi hirune suru.
I’m sleepy, so I’m going to take a short nap.
昼寝をしたら、頭がすっきりした。
Hirune o shitara, atama ga sukkiri shita.
I felt refreshed after taking a nap.
午後は予定がないので、家で昼寝した。
Gogo wa yotei ga nai node, ie de hirune shita.
I had no plans in the afternoon, so I took a nap at home.
赤ちゃんが昼寝から起きた。
Akachan ga hirune kara okita.
The baby woke up from a nap.
昼寝をしすぎて、夜眠れなかった。
Hirune o shisugite, yoru nemurenakatta.
I napped too much and could not sleep at night.
休日の昼寝は最高だ。
Kyūjitsu no hirune wa saikō da.
A nap on a day off is the best.
昼寝するなら、アラームをかけたほうがいいよ。
Hirune suru nara, arāmu o kaketa hō ga ii yo.
If you are going to take a nap, you should set an alarm.
子どもを昼寝させるのに時間がかかった。
Kodomo o hirune saseru no ni jikan ga kakatta.
It took a while to get the child to take a nap.
彼はソファで気持ちよさそうに昼寝している。
Kare wa sofa de kimochi yosasō ni hirune shite iru.
He is napping comfortably on the sofa.
昼寝中に電話で起こされた。
Hirune-chū ni denwa de okosareta.
A phone call woke me up during my nap.
Mini Conversations Using Hirune
Conversation 1: Planning a Nap
Gogo wa nani suru no?
What are you doing this afternoon?
Chotto hirune shiyō kana.
I think I might take a short nap.
Conversation 2: A Child’s Nap Time
Sorosoro ohirune shiyō ka.
Shall we take a nap soon?
Mada nemukunai!
I’m not sleepy yet!
Conversation 3: Sleeping Too Long
Zuibun nagaku neteta ne.
You slept for quite a long time.
Hirune no tsumori ga, ni-jikan mo nechatta.
I meant to take a nap, but I ended up sleeping for two hours.
Conversation 4: Do Not Wake the Baby
Akachan, doko?
Where is the baby?
Ima ohirune-chū da kara, shizuka ni shite ne.
The baby is napping now, so please be quiet.
Useful Phrases Related to Hirune
to take a nap
昼寝から起きる
to wake up from a nap
昼寝をしすぎる
to nap too much
昼寝の時間
nap time
昼寝中
in the middle of a nap
昼寝の習慣
a napping habit
昼寝をさせる
to make or let someone take a nap
昼寝から目を覚ます
to awaken from a nap
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using Hirune for Any Kind of Sleep
昼寝 specifically refers to sleeping during the day. Use 睡眠, 眠り, 寝る, or 眠る when discussing sleep more generally.
Mistake 2: Assuming Hirune Must Happen at Noon
The word uses 昼, but it can describe a nap taken in the afternoon. It does not have to begin exactly at lunchtime.
Mistake 3: Translating Inemuri as Hirune in Every Situation
I dozed off during class.
⇒ Unplanned dozing during another activity.
授業のあと、家で昼寝した。
I took a nap at home after class.
⇒ Intentional daytime sleep.
Mistake 4: Thinking お昼寝 Is Only for Babies
It is especially common for children and pets, but adults may also use it casually or playfully.
Mistake 5: Confusing 寝 with the Particle ね
The ね in ひるね is part of the noun 昼寝. It is not the sentence-ending particle meaning something like “right?” or “isn’t it?”
FAQ About Hirune
What does hirune mean in Japanese?
Hirune (昼寝) means a daytime nap or sleeping for a while during the day.
How do you say “take a nap” in Japanese?
Say 昼寝する (hirune suru) or 昼寝をする (hirune o suru). Both mean “to take a nap.”
What does ohirune mean?
お昼寝 (ohirune) also means a nap. The prefix お gives it a softer or more familiar tone, and it is especially common when talking about children, babies, or pets.
What is the difference between hirune and inemuri?
Hirune is a daytime nap and is often intentional. Inemuri is dozing while seated or while remaining in another activity and is often unplanned.
What is the difference between hirune and utatane?
Hirune emphasizes daytime sleep. Utatane emphasizes unintentionally drifting into a light sleep.
What is the difference between hirune and kamin?
Hirune is specifically a daytime nap. Kamin is a short, temporary sleep taken for practical recovery and can happen during the day or night.
What is the difference between hirune and gosui?
Both can mean a daytime nap. Hirune is the common everyday word, while gosui sounds more formal or literary.
Is hirune only used for children?
No. Adults, children, babies, and animals can all be described as taking a 昼寝.
How do you say “I took a nap” in Japanese?
Say 昼寝した (hirune shita) casually or 昼寝をしました (hirune o shimashita) politely.
How do you say “The baby is taking a nap” in Japanese?
A natural sentence is 赤ちゃんはお昼寝中です (Akachan wa ohirune-chū desu).
Which Japanese “Nap” Word Fits Your Situation?
Japanese splits “nap” by whether it was planned and why. Start with one question.
The everyday, neutral word.
Softer, more familiar tone.
Practical recovery sleep, day or night.
Written/formal equivalent of hirune.
Dozing while seated in another situation.
Light, unintended drift into sleep.
※ Based on the hirune-vs-inemuri-vs-utatane-vs-kamin-vs-gosui comparisons in this article.
Summary: The Meaning and Usage of Hirune
昼寝 means a daytime nap or sleeping during the day.
● Writing
Kanji: 昼寝
Hiragana: ひるね
Romaji: hirune
● Word structure
昼 (daytime) + 寝 (sleep)
⇒ daytime sleep
● Verb forms
昼寝する / 昼寝をする = to take a nap
昼寝した = took a nap
昼寝している = is taking a nap
● Softer expression
お昼寝 is common when speaking about children, babies, or pets.
● Compared with similar words
居眠り = dozing while seated or present
うたた寝 = an unintended light sleep
仮眠 = a temporary short sleep for recovery
午睡 = a formal or literary word for a daytime nap
昼 (daytime) + 寝 (sleep) = a daytime nap.
Use 昼寝 for an ordinary daytime nap and 居眠り when someone accidentally dozes during another activity.
Related Articles
- Japanese Words for Sleep: How to Say Sleep in Japanese
- What Does Inemuri Mean? Japan’s “Sleeping at Work” Culture Explained
- Neru vs Nemuru: What Is the Difference?
- What Does Gussuri Mean in Japanese?
References
- Kotobank: 昼寝 — dictionary definition, historical examples, and its use as a summer seasonal word.
- Kotobank Progressive Japanese–English Dictionary: 昼寝 — English equivalent “nap” and the expression “take a nap.”
- Kotobank: 午睡 — formal synonym meaning a daytime nap.
- Kotobank: 仮眠 — a temporary short sleep.
- Kotobank Progressive Japanese–English Dictionary: うたた寝 — a doze or light nap.
- Kotobank: 居眠り — sleeping or dozing while seated.
