viviendo el sueño
/bibjendo el sweɲo/from spelling rules
viviendo el sueño is the Spanish way to say living the dream.
This phrase describes a life or situation that is ideal and exactly as one wished it to be. Because it is a calque (a loan translation) from English, it is most commonly used in contexts influenced by English, such as social media or among bilingual speakers, rather than as a traditional Spanish idiom.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of the English idiom, where viviendo is the gerund of vivir (to live) and el sueño means the dream.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word sueño can mean both 'a dream' and 'the feeling of being sleepy'. This dual meaning can lead to humorous ambiguity that does not exist in the English phrase.
- While the phrase is a direct translation of English, a native speaker might instead say they are en la gloria to describe a state of bliss. This suggests being in a heavenly or divine place rather than just experiencing a dream.
- In traditional Spanish, an ideal life is more often described as una vida de ensueño. The word ensueño specifically refers to a fantasy or a dreamlike state, whereas sueño can be a simple nightly dream.
Examples in context
- Estoy viviendo el sueño desde que conseguí mi trabajo ideal.I'm living the dream ever since I got my dream job.
- ¡Estamos viviendo el sueño en grande en nuestra nueva casa!We're living the dream in a big way in our new house!
- Con mi nuevo negocio, estoy disfrutando la vida al máximo.With my new business, I'm enjoying life to the fullest.
- ¡Mira su vida, está viviendo el sueño!Look at his life, he is living the dream!
- Con este nuevo trabajo, estoy viviendo el sueño.With this new job, I am living the dream.
- Mira su vida en la playa, realmente está viviendo el sueño.Look at his life on the beach, he is really living the dream.
- Después de tantos años, por fin estoy viviendo el sueño.After so many years, I am finally living the dream.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are catching up over coffee.
- MateoElena, ¿cómo va todo en tu nueva casa?Elena, how is everything going in your new house?
- Elena¡Increíble! Siento que estoy viviendo el sueño.Incredible! I feel like I am living the dream.
- MateoMe alegro mucho por ti, te lo mereces.I am very happy for you, you deserve it.
- ElenaGracias, Mateo, es todo lo que quería.Thanks, Mateo, it is everything I wanted.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
