眠る

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 眠る is read as ねむる and is an intransitive verb meaning to fall asleep or to be in a state of sleep.
• Basic usage: Ongoing sleep appears in 静かに眠っている, while entering sleep appears in すぐ眠った.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Difference from 寝る
  • 寝る can include lying down or going to bed; 眠る centers on the state of sleep itself.
• State and transition
  • 眠っている describes being asleep, whereas 眠った can mark the event of falling asleep.