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What's the real, definite difference between [寝]{ね}る and [眠]{ねむ}る?

I know they both mean " _sleep_ ", but also that each carries some additional
(sometimes, figurative) meanings.

Where do the meanings overlap? In what scenarios are they interchangeable?
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2011-10-04T19:27:24.127
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2017-03-28T15:30:16.693
2017-03-28T15:30:16.693
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question
words nuances synonyms
寝る vs. 眠る, what's the real difference?
**寝る** means **sleeping.**  
Eg. He is sleeping. 彼は寝ている。

**眠る** means **sleepy**.  
**眠い** (adv) means sleepy.  
so.. we usually use "So sleepy today.." => 眠いなあ。。

Hope this help :)

Edited:

**寝る**

1) 横になる Lie down

彼は草の上に寝ている。 He is lying on the grass.

2) Get to bed

寝る時間だ。 Time to go to bed.

3) Sleep (same with 眠る)

お茶を飲みすぎて寝られなかった。Too much tea kept me awake.

4) Lie idle (things, etc)

銀行に寝ているお金 Money sitting in the bank

5) Sleep (with somebody)

Other usage:  
寝ても覚めても awake or asleep

========================

**眠る**

1) Sleep; have a sleep.

ぐっすり眠っている fast asleep

2) Lie buried.

3) Lie idle (things, etc)
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2011-10-05T08:53:49.500
3375
2016-03-28T05:33:55.850
2016-03-28T05:33:55.850
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answer
> 寝{ね}る

go to bed, be in bed.  
Does not imply you sleep, since you could be listening to the radio, watching
TV…  
毎日11時に寝ます。

> 眠{ねむ}る

to sleep, not be awake.  
Physiological state.  
毎日何時に眠っているか当然分からない！
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2011-10-05T12:02:23.103
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2016-03-28T05:15:49.657
2016-03-28T05:15:49.657
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answer
* `寝る` 'sleep', 'lie down', 'have sexual intercourse' 
  * `眠る` 'fall asleep', 'remain untouched'
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-10-05T14:38:10.617
3377
2011-10-05T14:38:10.617
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answer