いい夢見てね
ii yume mite ne
The Japanese phrase for "sweet dream" is いい夢見てね (ii yume mite ne).
いい夢見てね is used to wish someone a pleasant night of sleep. It is primarily used between close friends, family members or romantic partners before they go to sleep.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ii (good), yume (dream), mite (the te-form of the verb meaning to see or watch) and the particle ne, which is a softening particle used for seeking agreement or expressing friendliness. Literally, it means "Have a good dream, okay?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
いい夢見てね is an informal way to say "sweet dreams." If you want to be more polite, you can use the form いい夢を見てくださいね, which means "Please have a good dream."
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the te-form of the verb miru (to see) followed by ne to create a soft, casual command or suggestion, which is common in friendly speech.
How do you pronounce it?
ii yume mite ne
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese beliefs, dreams were sometimes seen as messages from the spirits, making the wish for a 'good dream' a wish for a positive omen.
- Japanese culture has a specific concept called akumu for nightmares, and wishing someone a 'good dream' is often seen as a way to ward off these 'bad dreams'.
- In Japanese pop culture, such as anime or manga, the phrase ii yume o is sometimes used as a shortened, poetic way to say 'dream well', omitting the verb entirely.
Examples in context
- お休みください。心地よい夢を見てくださいPlease take a rest. Have pleasant dreams.
- おやすみ。いい夢をねGood night. Have a good dream.
- いい夢見てね。ii yume mite ne.Sweet dreams.
- おやすみ、いい夢見てね。oyasumi, ii yume mite ne.Good night, sweet dreams.
- ゆっくり休んで、いい夢見てね。yukkuri yasunde, ii yume mite ne.Rest well and sweet dreams.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are talking on the phone before going to bed.
- 蓮 Renそろそろ寝るね。sorosoro neru ne.I'm going to sleep soon.
- 結衣 Yuiうん、いい夢見てね、蓮。un, ii yume mite ne, Ren.Okay, sweet dreams, Ren.
- 蓮 Ren結衣もね、おやすみ。Yui mo ne, oyasumi.You too, Yui, good night.
- 結衣 Yuiおやすみなさい。oyasuminasai.Good night.
