寝返(ねがえ)り

ねがえり
noun
turning over (in bed); betrayal; defection
1. turning over (in bed)
Rolling from one position to another while sleeping.
寝返(ねがえ)りを打(う)つ。
To roll over in bed.
赤(あか)ちゃんが寝返(ねがえ)りを打(う)った。
The baby rolled over.
I want a bed that's easy to turn over in.
I rolled over many times in the middle of the night and couldn't sleep well.
When the baby rolled over for the first time, the whole family celebrated.
2. betrayal; defection
Switching sides or betraying one's allies.
The betrayal of our allies reversed the battle situation.
A subordinate's betrayal was discovered.
The defection of a large army was a decisive blow.
I was deeply hurt by the betrayal of a trusted companion.
Because favorable conditions were offered, betrayals came one after another.

寝返(ねがえ)り has both a literal physical meaning and a figurative meaning of betrayal.

USAGE (physical):
Rolling over in bed while sleeping. An important developmental milestone for babies (赤(あか)ちゃんの寝返(ねがえ)り).

Usage

Betray, defect, switch sides. The image is of "turning over" one's allegiance.

Common patterns

Related words