做梦
zuòmèng
In Mandarin, dreaming is 做梦 (zuòmèng).
做梦 refers to the act of experiencing images and thoughts during sleep. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is impossible or highly unlikely, similar to the English expression 'in your dreams'. If you want to say you dreamt of or saw something in a dream, use 梦见. To specifically describe the act of daydreaming or being unrealistic, use the phrase 做白日梦.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 做梦 is composed of the verb 做 (zuò), meaning 'to do' or 'to make' and the noun 梦 (mèng), meaning 'dream'.
Which one should you use?
While 做梦 refers to dreaming during sleep, the specific phrase 做白日梦 is used for daydreaming. Additionally, 梦想 is a common formal word for dreaming that represents aspirations and ambitions.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous aspect, such as saying someone is currently dreaming, you can add 在 (zài) before the phrase to form 在做梦.
How do you pronounce it?
zuòmèng
Did you know?
- In Chinese culture, if you dream that your teeth fall out, it is traditionally interpreted as an omen that an elderly relative may pass away.
- While 做梦 describes the act of dreaming, the word 梦魇 is used specifically for a nightmare, originating from the concept of a demon pressing down on the sleeper.
- In ancient Chinese medicine, certain types of 做梦 were used as diagnostic tools to determine which organ in the body was unbalanced.
Examples in context
- 死了就像做梦似的。Death is like dreaming.This sentence is useful for comparing death to the state of dreaming using 做梦.Tatoeba #9308536 by Leetsan, translation #9308602 by CM
- 我还以为我在做梦呢。I thought I was dreaming.This sentence is useful for expressing the thought that one was dreaming using 做梦.Tatoeba #2033412 by sadhen, translation #1961297 by CK
- 他一直追逐着自己的梦想。He has been pursuing his dreams relentlessly.
- 她的理想是成为一位杰出的科学家。Her dream is to become an outstanding scientist.
- 我昨晚做了一个奇怪的梦。I had a strange dream last night.
- 我昨天晚上在做梦。Wǒ zuótiān wǎnshàng zài zuòmèng.I was dreaming last night.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Wei and Xiaowen are talking about their sleep quality.
- 伟 Wei你昨晚睡得好吗？Nǐ zuówǎn shuì de hǎo ma?Did you sleep well last night?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen不太好，我一直在做梦。Bú tài hǎo, wǒ yìzhí zài zuòmèng.Not really, I kept dreaming.
- 伟 Wei你做了一个什么样的梦？Nǐ zuò le yí gè shénme yàng de mèng?What kind of dream did you have?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我不记得了，太奇怪了。Wǒ bù jìde le, tài qíguài le.I don't remember, it was too strange.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
