1.
drowsiness; sleepiness; the irresistible urge to sleep
An overwhelming feeling of drowsiness that is difficult to fight. Literally the "sleep demon" — personifying sleepiness as a force that attacks.
睡魔 literally means "sleep demon" (睡 = sleep + 魔 = demon). It personifies drowsiness as an external force that attacks a person, similar to the English expression "the sandman."
Common collocations
- 睡魔に襲われる (to be overcome by drowsiness)
- 睡魔と闘う (to fight off drowsiness)
- 睡魔に負ける (to give in to drowsiness)
- 睡魔が襲う (drowsiness attacks)
Usage
This word is commonly used in everyday conversation, often with a touch of humor. The most frequent pattern is 睡魔に襲われる — being "attacked" by the sleep demon. It vividly expresses the feeling of struggling against overwhelming sleepiness, especially during work or study.