How to Say "Akumu" in Japanese

悪夢

akumu[a̠kɯ̟mɯ̟]

akumu is the Japanese word for nightmare.

While 悪夢 literally means a bad dream, it is most commonly used to refer to a terrifying nightmare.

How do you pronounce it?

akumu

In traditional Japanese folklore, nightmares were sometimes attributed to the Baku, a mythical creature that eats dreams and nightmares to protect the sleeper.
While English speakers might say they 'had' a nightmare, Japanese speakers use the verb 見る (miru), meaning to 'see' or 'watch' an 悪夢.
The kanji 悪 used in 悪夢 also appears in the word for 'villain' or 'evil person', 悪人 (akunin).

彼女は毎晩悪夢にうなされます。
She is troubled by nightmares every night.
彼にとって、昨夜のあくむは非常に恐ろしかった。
For him, last night's nightmare was extremely terrifying.
あの時の事件を思い出すと、未だに悪夢を見ます。
When I recall that incident, I still have nightmares.
昨夜は悪夢を見ました。
sakuya wa akumu o mimashita.
I had a nightmare last night.
それはまるで悪夢のようだ。
sore wa marude akumu no yō da.
That is just like a nightmare.
悪夢から覚めて、とても怖かった。
akumu kara samete, totemo kowakatta.
I woke up from a nightmare and was very scared.

Misaki and Yota are talking at a cafe in the morning.

美咲 Misaki

顔色が悪いよ、大丈夫？
kao iro ga warui yo, daijōbu?
You look pale, are you okay?
陽太 Yota

実は、ひどい悪夢を見たんだ。
jitsu wa, hidoi akumu o mita n da.
Actually, I had a terrible nightmare.
美咲 Misaki

それは大変だったね。
sore wa taihen datta ne.
That sounds awful.
陽太 Yota

うん、少し眠れなかったよ。
un, sukoshi nemure nakatta yo.
Yeah, I couldn't sleep much.

Sources

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