dans tes rêves
/dɑ̃ te ʁɛv/
The English phrase "in your dreams" is translated into French as dans tes rêves.
This phrase can be used literally to describe something occurring while one is sleeping, or as a sarcastic exclamation to tell someone that what they want or expect is highly unlikely to happen.
Meaning: in your dreams (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of dans (in), tes (your – plural possessive adjective) and rêves (dreams).
Which one should you use?
The default form dans tes rêves is the informal version. Use dans vos rêves when you are addressing more than one person or using the formal vous form.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use dans vos rêves instead of dans tes rêves if you are addressing more than one person or using the formal vous form.
How do you pronounce it?
/dɑ̃ te ʁɛv/
Did you know?
- While dans tes rêves is used for sarcasm, French speakers often use the phrase tu rêves (you are dreaming) to mean 'you are delusional' or 'no way'. It is a more common way to shut down an unrealistic request than the literal translation of 'in your dreams'.
- Using the formal vous form in dans vos rêves can make sarcasm feel like a pointed and sophisticated insult due to the contrast in politeness.
- The word rêve has a distant relative in the English word 'reverie', both tracing back to the idea of a wandering or dreaming state.
Examples in context
- Dans tes rêves !In your dreams!This is useful for seeing the phrase used as a sarcastic exclamation.Tatoeba #2221676 by sacredceltic, translation #2221098 by Hybrid
- L'amour c'est la voir dans tes rêves.Love is seeing her in your dreams.This shows the literal use of the phrase in a sentence.Tatoeba #462026 by sacredceltic, translation #28724 by LittleBoy
- Dans tes rêves…In your dreams…This shows the phrase used with an ellipsis.Tatoeba #6575547 by GB3, translation #6575506 by Eccles17
- Ah non, tu crois vraiment qu'il t'aime ? Dans tes rêves !Oh no, do you really think he loves you? In your dreams!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas tells Chloé he will win the race.
- LucasJe vais gagner la course demain.I am going to win the race tomorrow.
- ChloéDans tes rêves, Lucas !In your dreams, Lucas!
- LucasTu verras, je suis très rapide.You will see, I am very fast.
- ChloéC'est ça, on verra bien.Sure, we'll see.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “in your dreams” translations and entries dans tes rêves, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dans, tes, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
