覚める・醒める|さめるsameru[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
覚める覚める is the more common written form and the recommended default for beginners; use it when writing as a learner.
醒める醒める is less common than 覚める; learners will usually want 覚める instead.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto wake; to wake up
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto wear off (of drunkenness, anaesthesia, etc.); to regain consciousness; to sober up
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto come to one's senses; to be disillusioned
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 覚める（さめる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 覚めます（さめます） |
| Negative (nai) | 覚めない（さめない） |
| polite (masen) | 覚めません（さめません） |
| classical zu / nu | 覚めず・覚めぬ（さめず・さめぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 覚めた（さめた） |
| polite (mashita) | 覚めました（さめました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 覚めなかった（さめなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 覚めませんでした（さめませんでした） |
| Te form | 覚めて（さめて） |
| Potential | 覚められる（さめられる） |
| Passive | 覚められる（さめられる） |
| Causative | 覚めさせる（さめさせる） |
| Causative passive | 覚めさせられる（さめさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 覚めれば（さめれば） |
| tara | 覚めたら（さめたら） |
| Volitional | 覚めよう（さめよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 覚めましょう（さめましょう） |
| Imperative | 覚めろ（さめろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
目が覚める
人を覚ます
覚める describes a subject coming awake spontaneously or naturally (as in 目が覚める), while 覚ます indicates an agent actively waking someone else (as in 人を覚ます).
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym目覚めるめざめるNeutralWakes from sleep, but also means awakening or realizing, as in 「才能に目覚める」; more common than 「覚める」 for awakening and becoming aware of value.
- Synonym起きるおきるNeutralMeans getting up or waking, and also events happening; the emphasis is on rising and leaving the bed, while 「覚める」 stresses regaining consciousness.
- Related寝覚めるねざめるWrittenMeans waking from sleep, but is rare as a verb; everyday speech uses 「目が覚める」, and the noun 「寝覚め」 is more common. Found mainly in written/formal prose.
- Antonym酔うようNeutralMeans getting drunk, and also motion sickness or rapture; with drunkenness it is the opposite of 「覚める」, which describes the drunkenness wearing off.
- Antonym夢中になるNeutralMeans being absorbed or engrossed in something; it is the opposite of 「覚める」 when enthusiasm fades and one comes back to one's senses.
Use 「覚める」 for waking from sleep, sobering up, and coming to one's senses or disillusionment. 「目覚める」 is the usual choice for awakening to abilities or realizing value, 「起きる」 for getting out of bed; the opposites are 「酔う」 and 「夢中になる」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
