꿈
kkum[k͈um]
The English word 'dream' is translated into Korean as 꿈 (kkum).
꿈 refers to both the literal series of images and stories that occur in a person's mind during sleep and figurative aspirations or life goals. You can use it to describe a 좋은 꿈 (good dream) or even a 큰 꿈 (big dream).
How does it change in a sentence?
To say you are dreaming, the noun 꿈 is typically used with the verb 꾸다 to form the expression 꿈을 꾸다 (to dream a dream). If you want to describe something happening within a dream, the standard phrase is 꿈속에서 (in a dream or inside a dream). Additionally, when discussing the fulfillment of an aspiration, you can use the phrase 꿈을 이루다 (to realize or achieve a dream).
How do you pronounce it?
kkum
Did you know?
- Korean culture has a tradition of 'selling' a good dream. If someone has a prophetic dream of wealth, they may jokingly or seriously 'transfer' the luck to a friend by saying they are selling the 꿈.
- The verb used for dreaming, 꾸다, is the exact same word used for borrowing money.
- There is a common Korean superstition that if you tell someone your dream before waking up fully or immediately after, the dream's power or its prophecy will vanish.
Examples in context
- 꿈을 이루기 위해 노력하세요.Keep working hard to achieve your dream.
- 꿈은 소중한 것입니다.Dreams are precious.
- 오늘밤에 좋은 꿈 꿔!Have a good dream tonight!
- 어제 정말 이상한 꿈을 꿨어요.eoje jeongmal isanghan kkumeul kkweosseoyo.I had a really strange dream yesterday.
- 그 꿈은 무엇에 관한 것이었나요?geu kkumeun mueose gwanhan geosieonna-yo?What was that dream about?
- 꿈에서 본 풍경이 아주 아름다웠어요.kkum-eseo bon punggyeongi aju areumdawa-sseoyo.The scenery I saw in my dream was very beautiful.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Dohyeon are talking about their sleep in the morning.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 좋은 꿈 꿨어요?Dohyeon ssi, joeun kkum kkweosseoyo?Dohyeon, did you have a good dream?
- 도현 Do-hyeon아니요, 무서운 꿈을 꿨어요.aniyo, museoun kkumeul kkweosseoyo.No, I had a scary dream.
- 서연 Seo-yeon어머, 정말 피곤하시겠어요.eomeo, jeongmal pigonhasigesseoyo.Oh, you must be really tired.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 조금 더 자고 싶어요.ne, jogeum deo jago sipeoyo.Yes, I want to sleep a little more.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 꿈, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
