1.
to wake up, to awaken
To transition from sleep to a state of wakefulness.
朝6時に目覚めた。
I woke up at 6 in the morning.
鳥の声で目覚めた。
I woke up to the sound of birds.
夜中に何度も目覚めてしまう。
I keep waking up in the middle of the night.
目覚めたら雪が積もっていた。
When I woke up, the snow had piled up.
長い眠りから目覚めたとき、窓の外はもう明るくなっていた。
When I woke from a long sleep, it was already light outside the window.
2.
to awaken to, to become aware of
To realize or become conscious of something, such as a feeling, talent, or truth (figurative use).
彼は音楽の才能に目覚めた。
He awakened to his musical talent.
旅をして新しい世界に目覚めた。
I traveled and awakened to a new world.
大学で文学に目覚めた。
I discovered a passion for literature in college.
自然の大切さに目覚めて、生活を変えることにした。
Having awakened to the importance of nature, I decided to change my lifestyle.
あの映画をきっかけに環境問題に目覚め、ボランティアを始めた。
That movie prompted me to become aware of environmental issues, and I started volunteering.
目覚める is an intransitive verb (自動詞) meaning to wake up or awaken.
COMPOUND STRUCTURE:
- 目 (eye) + 覚める (to become aware) → eyes become aware/open
ASPECT (ている):
目覚めている indicates a state of being awake.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 朝目覚める (wake up in the morning)
- ～に目覚める (awaken to~, become aware of~)
- 才能に目覚める (awaken to one's talent)
- 愛に目覚める (awaken to love)
RELATED WORDS:
- 目覚まし: alarm clock (目覚まし時計)
- 目覚め: awakening (noun)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 起きる: to get up (focuses on getting out of bed)
- 目覚める focuses on the transition from sleep to wakefulness
[Register: Neutral]
Related Words
Antonym:
寝付く (to fall asleep)