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Question to Teacher: What is the difference between NERU and NEMURU?
Course 3 Lesson 3: My Loud Mother (Grammar)

jasutendesu

Post Date: 2012-01-04 00:02:03

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2011 Aug 23

Questions: 7
Comments: 12

I searched to see if this question had been asked already, but I didn't find it. I'm sure it's an easy question. When is each one used? Can they both mean to sleep?

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YesJapan Teacher (Kanako)

Post Date: 2012-01-10 18:56:41

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2003 Mar 03

Questions: 10
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日本語の勉強をがんばっていますね！
Nihongo no benkyou o ganbatte imasu ne!
You are studying Japanese hard!

They both mean "to sleep". Let me give you some example sentences.

1) この赤ちゃんはよく眠りますね。
Kono aka chan wa yoku nemurimasu ne.

2) この赤ちゃんはよく寝ますね。
Kono aka chan wa yoku nemasu ne.
This baby sleeps well.

However, the verbs are not always interchangeable.

3) 私はいつも10時に寝ます。
Watashi wa itusmo juu ji ni nemasu. - CORRECT
I always go to sleep at 10.

4) 私はいつも10時に眠ります。
Watashi wa itsumo juu ji ni nemurimasu. - incorrect

When you talk about the time to go to sleep, "NERU" should be used (see #3).
"NEMURU" is normally used when someone is asleep.

Let me ask you a question using the verb.

Jasutendesuさんはいつも夜12時ごろ、眠っていますか。
Jasutendesu san wa itsumo yoru juu ni ji goro, nemutte imasuka.

YesJapan Teacher (George)

Post Date: 2012-01-10 21:48:31

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1997 Aug 25

Questions: 14
Comments: 2557

This question's answer is incomplete. Kanako sensei had issues with her computer. She will complete the answer tomorrow. :-)

jasutendesu

Post Date: 2012-01-10 22:13:03

member since
2011 Aug 23

Questions: 7
Comments: 12

わかりました。どうも、ジョージ先生。ありがとうございますかなこ先生！毎日日本語を勉強するのはますます楽しくになっています！残りの説明が楽しみにしています！

jasutendesu

Post Date: 2012-01-24 21:12:24

member since
2011 Aug 23

Questions: 7
Comments: 12

かなこ先生本当に助かりました！ありがとうございます！

そうですね...実は日によりますね。遅くまで仕事をするなら、真夜中の後まで寝るのです。しかし、午前2時ごろグッスリ眠っています。時々、夜更かしすることが好きですから。