做个好梦
To say "have a sweet dream" in Chinese, you use 做个好梦.
The phrase 做个好梦 is typically used as a warm, affectionate way to say goodnight to someone, such as a child or a partner. You may also see the shorter noun phrase 好梦 used as a poetic way to wish someone sweet dreams.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 做 (do/make), 个 (a classifier for dreams) and 好梦 (good dream).
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 做个好梦, the character 个 (gè) acts as a measure word between the verb 做 (zuò) and the noun 梦 (mèng).
Did you know?
- While 做个好梦 means 'have a sweet dream', Chinese speakers often avoid saying 'sweet' 甜 when talking about dreams. In Chinese, 'sweet' usually refers to taste, whereas 好 is used for a 'good' or pleasant experience.
- In Chinese culture, dreaming of something specific can be seen as a prophetic sign, so wishing someone a 好梦 is not just a polite wish but a wish for positive omens.
- A person might say 白日梦 (báirìmèng) to describe a 'daydream', but it is often used idiomatically to call someone an 'idle dreamer' or someone who is unrealistic.
Examples in context
- 快去睡觉吧，做个好梦。Kuài qù shuìjiào ba, zuò ge hǎo mèng.Go to sleep now, have a sweet dream.
- 祝你今晚做个好梦。Zhù nǐ jīnwǎn zuò ge hǎo mèng.I wish you a sweet dream tonight.
Example conversation
A father is tucking his daughter into bed.
- 俊杰 Junjie宝贝，该睡觉了。Bǎobèi, gāi shuìjiào le.Baby, it is time for bed.
- 梓涵 Zihan好的，爸爸。Hǎo de, bàba.Okay, daddy.
- 俊杰 Junjie晚安，做个好梦。Wǎn'ān, zuò ge hǎo mèng.Goodnight, have a sweet dream.
- 梓涵 Zihan谢谢爸爸，晚安。Xièxiè bàba, wǎn'ān.Thank you daddy, goodnight.
