Entry
ぐっすり
gussuri
To sleep soundly and deeply without waking up easily.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This term describes a high-quality, heavy sleep. The focus is on the depth of the sleep, often implying that the person is undisturbed by their surroundings and will wake up feeling refreshed.
- Sleeping heavily due to fatigue
- Undisturbed rest throughout the night
Sense Map
Sleep Quality
Describes a sleep so deep that the body fully recovers.
疲れていたのでぐっすり眠った。
Undisturbed Duration
Sleeping all the way through without waking up at all.
朝までぐっすり寝ることができた。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぐっすり眠る
The most common pattern to express sleeping soundly using the verb nemuru.
ぐっすり寝る
A slightly more casual version using the verb neru.
ぐっすりと眠る
Adding the particle to provides more emphasis on the state of sleep.
ぐっすりだ
Used to state the condition that someone is currently in a deep sleep.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぐっすり眠る
to sleep very soundly
昨夜はぐっすりだ
slept like a log last night
ぐっすり寝顔
face while sound asleep
朝までぐっすり
soundly until morning
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Health and Recovery | positive | Often used to describe a successful rest after a tiring day. |
| Observing Others | neutral | Used to state that someone is hard to wake up because their sleep is very heavy. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
すやすや すやすや / nearby | Used for quiet, peaceful, and comfortable-looking sleep, usually for babies or children. | Focuses on tranquility and regular breathing, rather than the pure depth of sleep. | 赤ちゃんがすやすや眠っている。 |
ぐうぐう ぐうぐう / nearby | Used when sleeping so deeply that one makes snoring sounds. | Emphasizes the audible aspect or loud breathing during deep sleep. | いびきをかいてぐうぐう寝ている。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using gussuri just for sleeping for a long time (duration).
Gussuri focuses on the depth of sleep. For duration, it is better to use takusan neru.
Using gussuri for a baby sleeping with a peaceful face.
If you want to emphasize the peaceful look and calm breathing, suyasuya is more appropriate.
Examples
Examples
昨夜は久しぶりにぐっすり眠れた。
さくやは ひさしぶりに ぐっすり ねむれた
I was able to sleep soundly last night for the first time in a while.
LiteralIndicates good sleep quality after a period of poor rest.
赤ちゃんがミルクを飲んでぐっすり寝ている。
あかちゃんが みるくを のんで ぐっすり ねている
The baby is sleeping soundly after drinking milk.
VisualDescribes a scene of very deep sleep.
手術の麻酔でぐっすり眠っていた。
しゅじゅつの ますいで ぐっすり ねむっていた
I was fast asleep due to the anesthesia for the surgery.
LiteralUsed for medically induced but very deep sleep.
悩み事が解決して、久しぶりにぐっすり眠れた。
なやみごとが かいけつして、ひさしぶりに ぐっすり ねむれた
Now that my worries are resolved, I could sleep soundly for the first time in a while.
FigurativeSound sleep because a mental burden has been lifted.
旅行から帰ってきて、自分のベッドでぐっすりだ。
りょこうから かえってきて、じぶんの べっどで ぐっすりだ
I'm sound asleep in my own bed after coming back from the trip.
LiteralUses the gussuri da pattern to state the current state.
Similar Words
グースカ
guusuka
グースカ describes the state of sleeping deeply and soundly, often accompanied by heavy breathing or loud snoring.
ぐうぐう
guuguu
Describes the sound or state of a very deep sleep (often with snoring) or a rumbling stomach due to hunger. Focuses on snoring or breathing sounds during deep sleep.
すやすや
suyasuya
すやすや (suyasuya) describes the appearance of someone or something sleeping very peacefully and soundly. Focuses on calm breathing and a peaceful expression.
Questions
Can gussuri be used with suru?
No, gussuri is not typically used as a suru-verb. Use it with nemuru or neru.
What is the difference between gussuri and suyasuya?
Gussuri focuses on the depth of sleep (hard to wake), while suyasuya focuses on the calmness and peacefulness while sleeping.
Can I use gussuri for a nap?
Yes, as long as the nap is very deep and high-quality, though it is more frequent for nighttime sleep.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1004060
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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