寝返(ねがえ)り

ねがえり
noun
turning over (in bed); roll over
1. turning over (in bed)
Rolling from one position to another while sleeping.
赤(あか)ちゃんが寝返(ねがえ)りを打(う)った。
The baby rolled over.
寝返(ねがえ)りがしやすいベッドが欲(ほ)しい。
I want a bed that's easy to turn over in.
2. betrayal; defection
Switching sides or betraying one's allies.
味方(みかた)が敵(てき)に寝返(ねがえ)った。
Our ally defected to the enemy.

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

PHYSICAL MEANING:
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).

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

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 寝返(ねがえ)りを打(う)つ: to roll over (physical) / to defect (figurative)
  • 寝返(ねがえ)りができる: able to roll over (baby milestone)
  • 敵(てき)に寝返(ねがえ)る: to defect to the enemy

RELATED WORDS:

  • 裏切(うらぎ)り: betrayal (more direct/harsh)
  • 寝(ね)る: to sleep (component verb)
  • 返(かえ)る: to return (component verb)
core
Added 2026.1.16 16:47 · Revised 2026.1.27 13:23
05500/05510_negaeri