醒ます

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 醒ます (さます) is a transitive verb meaning to dispel drowsiness or intoxication.
• Basic usage: 眠気を醒ます means to shake off drowsiness, while 酔いを醒ます means to sober up.
  • 朝の冷たい空気を吸って眠気を醒ましました。 — I breathed in the cold morning air and shook off my drowsiness.
  • 酔いを醒ますため、彼は静かな部屋で休みました。 — He rested in a quiet room to sober up.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Wear off and dispel
  • 醒める is intransitive for drowsiness or intoxication wearing off, while 醒ます is transitive for dispelling it. Also distinguish the spelling in 目を覚ます.