(ねいき)

ねいき
noun
sleeping breath, breathing of a sleeping person
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.
寝息(ねいき)()こえる。
I can hear the sound of sleeping.
(あか)ちゃんの寝息(ねいき)確認(かくにん)した。
I checked the baby's breathing while sleeping.
(しず)かな寝息(ねいき)()てて(ねむ)っている。
She is sleeping, breathing quietly.

The soft, rhythmic breathing of a sleeping person. Often used to confirm someone is asleep or to evoke a peaceful sleeping scene.

FORMATION:
() (sleeping) + (いき) (breath).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 寝息(ねいき)()てる: to breathe audibly in one's sleep
  • 寝息(ねいき)()こえる: to hear someone's sleeping breath
  • (しず)かな寝息(ねいき): quiet sleeping breath
  • 規則的(きそくてき)寝息(ねいき): 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.