1.
sleeping breath, breathing of a sleeping person
The sound or rhythm of someone's breathing while asleep. Often used to describe the gentle or regular breathing that indicates someone is sleeping.
The soft, rhythmic breathing of a sleeping person. Often used to confirm someone is asleep or to evoke a peaceful sleeping scene.
Forms
寝 (sleeping) + 息 (breath).
Common collocations
- 寝息を立てる: to breathe audibly in one's sleep
- 寝息が聞こえる: to hear someone's sleeping breath
- 静かな寝息: quiet sleeping breath
- 規則的な寝息: regular breathing while asleep
Usage
Frequently appears in narrative writing to describe someone peacefully asleep. Distinct from いびき (snoring), which implies loud or disruptive breathing.
Related Words
Compare:
いびき (snoring)