1.
to doze, to slumber, to drowse
To sleep lightly or briefly, hovering between wakefulness and sleep. A gentle, literary word for drifting in and out of shallow sleep.
ソファで微睡んでいた。
I was dozing on the sofa.
午後の陽ざしの中で猫が微睡んでいる。
The cat is dozing in the afternoon sunlight.
心地よい風に吹かれて微睡むうちに、いつの間にか眠っていた。
As I drowsed in the pleasant breeze, I fell asleep before I knew it.
USAGE:
A literary and poetic verb. The kanji 微睡む literally combines "subtle" (微) and "sleep" (睡), capturing the sense of light, gentle sleep. More evocative and elegant than うとうとする (to nod off) or 居眠りする (to doze off). Commonly used in literature, poetry, and refined descriptive writing.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 微睡みから覚める: to wake from a doze
- 微睡みの中で: in a state of slumber
RELATED WORDS:
- うとうとする: to nod off (casual)
- 居眠りする: to fall asleep (unintentionally, as at a desk)