Translation and Meaning of: 寝かせる - nekaseru

The Japanese word 寝かせる (ねかせる, nekaseru) is a verb that carries practical and even philosophical meanings, depending on the context in which it is used. If you are studying Japanese or are just curious about the language, understanding this expression can open doors to a deeper understanding of culture and daily life in Japan. In this article, we will explore the meaning, uses, and some interesting facts about 寝かせる, as well as tips for memorizing it efficiently.

In addition to its literal meaning, 寝かせる also appears in everyday situations that go beyond the act of "laying someone down" or "making them sleep." Its use can be metaphorical, especially in culinary or even financial contexts. Let's unravel these nuances and show how this word fits into Japanese communication, whether in casual conversations or in more technical expressions.

Meaning and use of 寝かせる

The verb 寝かせる is often translated as "to put to sleep" or "to lay someone down," but its meaning can extend to actions like "to let rest" or "to repose." For example, when putting a child to sleep, a parent might say "子供を寝かせる" (kodomo o nekaseru). However, this word is also used in unexpected contexts, such as in cooking, where "寝かせる" can mean to let dough rest before baking.

Another interesting use is in the financial world, where 寝かせる can refer to leaving money "resting" in an account, without movement. This flexibility shows how Japanese often borrows words from daily life to describe abstract situations. If you've ever heard of "letting the bread rest" or "allowing the investment to mature," now you know that 寝かせる might be the right word for these situations.

Origin and structure of kanji

The word 寝かせる is formed by the kanji 寝 (ね, ne), which means "to sleep" or "to lie down," followed by the verbal suffix かせる (kaseru), which indicates causative – that is, to make someone perform an action. The kanji 寝 by itself is already rich in meaning: it combines the radical 宀 (roof) with 帚 (broom), suggesting the idea of "resting under a roof." This composition helps to understand why 寝かせる is so connected to concepts of rest and repose.

It is worth noting that, although 寝かせる is a causative form, it is not used solely in the sense of "forcing someone to sleep." In many cases, it conveys a sense of care, such as when a mother rocks her baby or a baker waits for the dough to rise. This nuance is essential for those who want to use the word naturally in everyday Japanese.

Tips for memorizing 寝かせる

An effective way to memorize 寝かせる is to associate it with concrete situations. Think of a scene where someone is putting a child to sleep or a baker waiting for the dough to rest. Creating mental images helps to remember not only the meaning but also the context in which the word is used. Another tip is to practice with simple sentences, such as "パンを寝かせる" (pan o nekaseru – let the bread rest) or "お金を寝かせる" (okane o nekaseru – leave the money idle).

Additionally, it is worth noting that 寝かせる is a group 2 (ichidan) verb, which means its conjugation follows a more regular pattern. If you already know verbs like 食べる (taberu) or 見る (miru), you will notice that the structure is similar. This familiarity can speed up learning and make the use of the word more intuitive in conversations.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 寝かせる

• 寝かせる - dictionary form
• 寝かさせる - causative form
• 寝かされる - passive form

Synonyms and similar words

• 休ませる (yasumeru) - Make rest (cause rest)
• 寝かす (nekasu) - Put to sleep
• 休める (yasumeru) - Being able to rest
• 休まる (yasumaru) - Rest (state of being rested)
• 寝かせる (nekasero) - Make someone sleep
• 休ます (yasumasu) - Cause rest (in a more intentional sense)
• 寝かし (nekashi) - Act of putting to sleep
• 休まり (yasumari) - Act of resting (nominal form)
• 休ませ (yasumase) - Ask to rest (imperative form)
• 休ませて (yasumsete) - Allow to rest (request form)
• 休ませよう (yasumaseyou) - Let's allow to rest (intention form)
• 休ませた (yasumeta) - Causou rest
• 休ませてください (yasumasete kudasai) - Please allow rest

寝かせる

Romaji: nekaseru
Kana: ねかせる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: Put in bed; to lie down; to ferment

Meaning in English: to put to bed;to lay down;to ferment

Definition: put something to rest, to rest.