Éveillé vs. réveillé
In French, the words 'éveillé' and 'réveillé' both relate to the state of being awake, but they are used in different contexts and have nuanced meanings.
Éveillé
The term 'éveillé' is an adjective that describes someone who is not asleep, usually suggesting that they are alert and attentive.
Il est toujours éveillé à cette heure-ci.
(He is always awake at this hour.)
L'enfant est très éveillé pour son âge.
(The child is very alert for his age.)
Malgré l'heure tardive, elle était éveillée et pleine d'énergie.
(Despite the late hour, she was awake and full of energy.)
Réveillé
'Réveillé' is a past participle often used as an adjective to describe someone who has awoken from sleep or has been awakened by something or someone.
Je suis bien réveillé après une bonne nuit de sommeil.
(I am well awake after a good night's sleep.)
Elle a été réveillée en pleine nuit par le tonnerre.
(She was woken up in the middle of the night by thunder.)
Après avoir été réveillé tôt, il a du mal à se rendormir.
(After being woken up early, he is having trouble falling back asleep.)
Summary
'Éveillé' describes a general state of being awake, often by choice or trait, and can indicate alertness. In contrast, 'réveillé' is used when someone has been woken up from sleep and refers to a change from a state of sleep to wakefulness. Both terms inform about the state of being awake but with different implications regarding the recentness of awakening and the manner it occurred.