眠い

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 眠い is read as ねむい and is an adjective for feeling sleepy and finding it hard to stay alert.
• Basic usage: Use 遅く寝たので眠い for feeling sleepy after going to bed late and 眠そうに目をこする for rubbing one's eyes with a sleepy look.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Difference between 眠い and 寝たい
  • The former describes the physical state of sleepiness, whereas the latter expresses a wish or intention to sleep.