Godan verb, intransitive verb

  1. to sleep.
  2. to die, to rest (in peace), to lie (buried), to sleep (in the grave).
  3. to lie idle (e.g. of resources), to lie unused, to lie untapped, to lie untouched.
  4. to close one's eyes. Archaism.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
眠る ねむる
ねぶ
 
眠る ねぶる
 
睡る ねむる
ねぶ
 
睡る ねぶる

Contained Kanji Breakdown

sleep, die, sleepy
ねむ.る ミン ね (7th, N3)
eye, class, look
め モク ボク (1st, N4)
people, nation, subjects
ミン たみ ひと (4th, N3)
family name, surname, clan
シ うじ (4th, N1)