1.
to fall asleep; to go to sleep
A somewhat literary or gentle expression for falling asleep. More elegant than simply 寝る, often used in narrative, bedtime contexts, or when describing someone drifting off peacefully.
Composed of 眠り (sleep, as a noun) + に (particle) + つく (to settle into). Literally "to settle into sleep." The verb つく conjugates normally: 眠りについた (past), 眠りにつける (potential), 眠りにつけない (negative potential).
More refined than 寝る, which is the everyday word for sleeping or going to bed. 眠りにつく focuses specifically on the transition into sleep and has a softer, more literary tone.
Common collocations
- すぐに眠りにつく: to fall asleep right away
- なかなか眠りにつけない: to have trouble falling asleep
- 深い眠りにつく: to fall into a deep sleep
- 静かに眠りにつく: to fall asleep quietly