cauchemars
The English phrase bad dreams is translated into French as cauchemars.
The term refers to frightening or unpleasant experiences that occur while a person is sleeping. For example, you would say faire un cauchemar.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is un cauchemar. When using the plural form to mean bad dreams, use the article des, as in des cauchemars.
Did you know?
- In ancient French folklore, the cauchemar was not just a bad dream but a physical entity that sat on your chest to stifle your breathing.
- The 'mar' in cauchemar is a linguistic relative of the English word 'mare' as in 'nightmare', both referring to the same ancient concept of a nocturnal spirit.
- French distinguishes between un mauvais rêve, which is simply a 'bad dream', and un cauchemar, which is a true 'nightmare'. A cauchemar implies a much higher level of terror or intensity.
Examples in context
- J'ai fait des mauvais rêves cette nuit. Ils étaient très effrayants.I had bad dreams last night. They were very scary.
- Certains enfants font souvent des cauchemars et se réveillent en pleurant.Some children often have nightmares and wake up crying.
- Pendant la période de stress, j'ai souvent des rêves désagréables qui me laissent fatigué.During times of stress, I often have unpleasant dreams that leave me tired.
- J'ai des mauvais rêves qui me réveillent en sursaut. C'est vraiment perturbant.I have bad dreams that wake me up startled. It's really disturbing.
- Hier soir, j'ai fait un cauchemar tellement effrayant, j'étais soulagé de me réveiller.Last night, I had such a scary nightmare, I was relieved to wake up.
- J'ai eu des rêves pourris ces derniers temps, ça me met d'humeur sombre le matin.I've been having rotten dreams lately, it puts me in a gloomy mood in the morning.
- Je fais souvent des cauchemars.I often have bad dreams.
- Elle a peur de ses cauchemars.She is afraid of her bad dreams.
- Les enfants font parfois des cauchemars.Children sometimes have bad dreams.
Example conversation
Gabriel wakes up startled and talks to Chloé.
- ChloéQu'est-ce qui se passe, Gabriel ?What is happening, Gabriel?
- GabrielJ'ai fait des cauchemars très bizarres.I had some very strange bad dreams.
- ChloéC'est fini maintenant, tout va bien.It's over now, everything is fine.
- GabrielMerci, Chloé, je me sens mieux.Thanks, Chloé, I feel better.
