Translation and Meaning of: 寝坊 - nebou

If you have ever slept in late and ended up delaying your commitments, know that the Japanese have a specific word for it: 寝坊 (ねぼう, nebō). This term describes exactly the act of waking up late due to oversleeping, often resulting in tardiness. In today's article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and use of this expression in everyday Japanese, as well as cultural curiosities that involve this behavior. Want to understand how the Japanese view those who do 寝坊 or how to memorize this word? Keep reading!

寝坊 (ねぼう) significa "oversleeping" em inglês.

The word 寝坊 is composed of two kanji: 寝 (ね, ne), which means "to sleep," and 坊 (ぼう, bō), a suffix that can refer to people, often in an affectionate or informal way. Together, they form a term that describes someone who overslept or has a habit of waking up late. Unlike Portuguese, where we use expressions like "dorminhoco" or "atrasado," in Japanese, 寝坊 carries a more direct and everyday tone.

It is worth noting that 寝坊 is not a compliment. In Japan, punctuality is taken very seriously, and waking up late can be seen as a lack of responsibility, especially at work or at school. Therefore, this word is often accompanied by a certain social judgment, even in informal contexts.

How and when to use 寝坊 in daily life?

寝坊 is a versatile word and appears in various situations. If you arrived late because you overslept, you can simply say "寝坊した" (nebō shita) – "I overslept." In a more casual context, friends can joke with each other saying "また寝坊？" (mata nebō?), something like "Did you oversleep again?"

However, it is important to note that, in formal settings, such as at work, the use of 寝坊 may sound unprofessional. In such cases, Japanese people often prefer more neutral explanations, such as "遅れてすみません" (okurete sumimasen, "sorry for being late"), without going into details about the reason.

Cultural curiosities about 寝坊

In Japan, where discipline and punctuality are highly respected values, 寝坊 can be a small taboo. Companies and schools tend to have low tolerance for delays, and oversleeping can be frowned upon, especially if it becomes a habit. On the other hand, in more relaxed contexts, such as among young people, the word is used without significant consequences.

One tip to memorize 寝坊 is to associate the kanji 寝 (to sleep) with the action of "oversleeping," while 坊 refers to a person – in this case, someone who is always late. If you have watched animes or Japanese dramas, you have probably seen a character being reprimanded for 寝坊, which helps reinforce the term naturally.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 遅刻 (Chikoku) - Delay (usually related to arriving late to appointments)
• 寝過ごす (Negusoru) - Lose the wake-up time, wake up later than planned.
• 寝坊する (Nebou suru) - Waking up late, not waking up on time
• 寝坊すること (Nebou suru koto) - The practice of waking up late, the habit of sleeping too much
• 寝坊癖 (Nebou guse) - Habit of waking up late, tendency to oversleep.
• 寝てしまう (Neteshimau) - End up sleeping (unintentionally, or uncontrollably)
• 寝坊習慣 (Nebou shukan) - Pajama party culture, a common habit of waking up late.
• 寝坊癖がある (Nebou guse ga aru) - Being in the habit of waking up late
• 寝坊する人 (Nebou suru hito) - Person who wakes up late
• 寝坊しないように注意する (Nebou shinanai you ni chuui suru) - Pay attention not to wake up late.
• 寝坊しないようにする (Nebou shinanai you ni suru) - Try not to wake up late
• 寝坊しないように心がける (Nebou shinanai you ni kokorogakeru) - To intend not to wake up late.
• 寝坊しないように努力する (Nebou shinanai you ni doryoku suru) - Strive not to wake up late
• 寝坊しないようにするための方法 (Nebou shinanai you ni suru tame no houhou) - Methods to avoid waking up late
• 寝坊しないようにするためのコツ (Nebou shinanai you ni suru tame no kotsu) - Tips to avoid waking up late
• 寝坊しないようにするためのアドバイス (Nebou shinanai you ni suru tame no adobaisu) - Tips for not waking up late
• 寝坊しないようにするためのポイント (Nebou shinanai you ni suru tame no pointo) - Main points to avoid waking up late