mimpi buruk
/ˌmimpi ˈburuk/
The Indonesian word for nightmare is mimpi buruk.
Meaning: dream (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mimpi (dream) and buruk (bad).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form 'nightmares', the word mimpi is reduplicated to become mimpi-mimpi buruk.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌmimpi ˈburuk/
Did you know?
- In some Indonesian spiritual contexts, a mimpi buruk is not just a psychological event but is sometimes interpreted as a sign that the dreamer has been targeted by 'black magic'.
- The word buruk in mimpi buruk is the same word used to describe 'rotten' or 'decaying' organic matter. A nightmare is quite literally a 'rotten dream'.
- Indonesians use the term mimpi buruk to refer to the same frightening experience, but the actual sleep paralysis often associated with nightmares is called ketindihan.
Examples in context
- Itu hanya mimpi buruk.It was only a nightmare.This sentence is useful for showing how to use mimpi buruk to describe a past event.Tatoeba #7163237 by purichan, translation #1585199 by Gulliver
- Kemarin mimpi buruk banget, gue sampe ngaco gitu!Yesterday, I had a really bad dream, it was so chaotic!
- Kemarin tuh si anak kebangun karena mimpi buruk, sampe ngaco deh.Yesterday, that kid woke up due to a nightmare, it was so chaotic.
- Saya baru saja mengalami mimpi buruk.I just had a nightmare.
- Mimpi buruk itu membuat saya takut.That nightmare made me afraid.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dimas and Indah are talking in the bedroom after waking up.
- DimasApakah kamu mengalami mimpi buruk semalam?Did you have a nightmare last night?
- IndahIya, itu adalah mimpi buruk yang sangat menakutkan.Yes, it was a very scary nightmare.
- DimasJangan khawatir, sekarang kamu sudah aman.Don't worry, you are safe now.
- IndahTerima kasih, Dimas.Thank you, Dimas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nightmare” translations and entries mimpi buruk, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
