Meaning

Primary

Lack Of Sleep

Word Type

noun, な adjective

Explanation

Remember how 不足 is a physical shortage? Well, now you have a physical shortage of sleep. That's a lack of sleep.

Reading

ねぶそく
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. However, the first kanji actually uses its kun'yomi . 不足 is on'yomi as you'd expect, but the in changes to , so hopefully you've been getting enough sleep.

Context

Context Sentences

「今日も残業するつもりなの?」「えっと…ですね、今日は寝不足なのでどちらかというと早く上がりたいと思っています。」

"So are you going to work overtime again today?" "Well actually, I was kind of hoping to get off work early today because I’ve been missing out on a lot of sleep."

昨日は午前二時まで夫の帰りを寝ないで待っていたので、寝不足です。

I didn't get enough sleep last night since I waited up for my husband until two in the morning.

そんな寝不足な顔して会社に来るなって上司に怒られた。

I was reprimanded by my boss for showing up to work looking sleepy.

Kanji Composition