ฝัน
fǎn/fan˩˩˦/
The English word "dream" is translated into Thai as ฝัน (fǎn).
The word ฝัน functions as both a noun (a dream) and a verb (to dream) depending on the context of the sentence.
Meaning: imaginary events seen while sleeping (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ฝัน can mean to dream, use ฝันถึง when you want to specify the object of the dream, such as dreaming about a person or a thing. Use ฝันเฟื่อง to describe daydreaming or having unrealistic, fanciful or impractical thoughts, rather than actual sleep-related dreams.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the verb/noun ฝัน into a more formal abstract noun meaning 'the concept of a dream' or 'an aspiration', add the prefix ความ to get ความฝัน.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is fǎn. The IPA is /fan˩˩˦/.
Did you know?
- In some Thai contexts, mentioning a bad ฝัน is avoided or 'spoken away' to prevent the dream from becoming a reality.
- In Thai culture, the meaning of a ฝัน is often interpreted through a traditional system of dream omens to predict future luck or warnings.
- The word ฝัน is part of a massive linguistic family, sharing a common root with languages like Shan, Lao and the ancient Ahom language of India.
Examples in context
- ฉันมีความฝันI have a dream.This sentence is useful for expressing that you possess a dream using ฝัน.Tatoeba #8675815 by pastelite, translation #1630 by al_ex_an_der
- ฝันของคุณคืออะไรWhat is your dream?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's dream using ฝัน.Tatoeba #11100329 by Somsak, translation #1854012 by drjuly
- บางครั้งฉันก็ฝันถึงแม่I sometimes dream of my mother.This sentence is useful for describing dreaming about a specific person using ฝัน.Tatoeba #11115663 by Somsak, translation #252367 by CK
- ความฝันของฉันคือการเป็นนักดนตรีMy dream is to become a musician.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is talking in bed before going to sleep.
- วิทวัส Witthawatเมื่อคืนคุณฝันดีไหมmuea khuen khun fan di maiDid you have a good dream last night?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanไม่เลย ฉันฝันร้ายมากmai loei chan fan rai makNot at all, I had a very bad dream.
- วิทวัส Witthawatเกิดอะไรขึ้นในฝันเหรอkoet arai khuen nai fan roWhat happened in your dream?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanฉันฝันว่าตกจากที่สูงchan fan wa tok chak thi sungI dreamed that I fell from a high place.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dream” translations and entries ฝัน, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ฝัน, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
