Translation and Meaning of: 起床 - kishou

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 起床 (きしょう). It appears in daily routines, conversations about habits, and even in anime. But what exactly does it mean? In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and practical use of this word, along with curiosities that can help with memorization. If you want to understand how the Japanese talk about "getting out of bed" and how to apply this to your learning, keep reading.

Meaning and translation of 起床

The word 起床 (きしょう) means "getting out of bed" or "waking up." It is composed of the kanji 起 (to rise) and 床 (bed), forming a term that describes the act of getting out of rest. Unlike 目覚める (mezameru), which refers to the moment of waking up, 起床 is more commonly used for the physical action of getting up.

In Portuguese, the closest translation would be "time to get up" or "act of getting up". It is common to see it in formal contexts, such as military training schedules or routine manuals. For example, in Japanese hospitals, the time for 起床 is strictly adhered to by patients.

Origin and Cultural Use

The origin of 起床 dates back to the Edo period, when discipline and time management gained importance in Japan. The word was used in martial arts schools and Buddhist monasteries, where waking up early was part of spiritual training. Today, it still carries this notion of discipline, appearing in contexts that require strict routines.

In modern Japan, 起床 is less common in casual conversations, being replaced by expressions like 起きる (okiru). However, it persists in structured environments, such as the military, boarding schools, and even in productivity apps that help create morning habits.

How to memorize and use 起床

An effective way to memorize 起床 is to associate the kanjis with concrete actions. The first character, 起, appears in words like 起きる (okiru - to get up), while 床 is the same kanji as in 床屋 (tokoya - barber shop, literally "house of the bed"). Visualizing someone getting out of bed can help reinforce the meaning.

To practice, try using 起床 in sentences like 毎朝6時に起床します (maiasa roku-ji ni kishou shimasu - "I get up at 6 AM every morning"). This construction is more formal, so avoid using it with close friends. Instead, prefer 起きた (okita) or 起きる時間 (okiru jikan) for informal situations.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

起きる (oki ru) - get up; wake up
目覚める (mezame ru) - wake up; awaken (with a focus on the act of waking from a deep sleep)
起き上がる (okiagaru) - to get up (from the floor or a lying position)
起つ (tatsu) - rise; stand up (with a more figurative sense)
起こる (okoru) - occur; happen (refers to events or situations)