süße Träume
The German phrase for "sweet dreams" is süße Träume. Wiktionary also lists träum schön.
Meaning: sweet dreams (phrase)
Ways to say it
| German |
|---|
| süße Träume |
| träum schön |
While süße Träume is a literal translation of the English phrase, the idiomatic expression träum schön is also very common in informal settings.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase süße Träume, süße means "sweet" and Träume is the plural of Traum, which means "dream".
Which one should you use?
süße Träume is a literal way to say "sweet dreams", whereas träum schön literally translates to "dream beautifully" but serves as a common way to say "sweet dreams" or "sleep well".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase träum schön uses the imperative form of the verb träumen, making it a direct wish to one person. If you are speaking to more than one person, you must use the plural imperative form träumt schön.
Did you know?
- In German, calling a dream süß can sometimes sound slightly more infantilizing or overly sugary than the English 'sweet dreams', often reserved for children or romantic partners.
- The word schön is inherited from the Proto-Germanic *skauniz, making it a distant relative of the English word 'sheen', which also relates to brightness and beauty.
- To express a 'dream-like' state of bliss, Germans use the word traumhaft, which turns the noun Traum into an adjective meaning 'heavenly' or 'dreamy'.
Examples in context
- Gute Nacht und süße Träume!Good night and sweet dreams.This sentence shows how to combine a good night wish with süße Träume.Tatoeba #2817413 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #64653 by Eldad
- Träum schön!Sweet dreams!This is an example of using the idiomatic träum schön.Tatoeba #943700 by Sudajaengi, translation #30054 by CK
- Süße Träume, Tom.Sweet dreams, Tom.This demonstrates using süße Träume when addressing someone by name.Tatoeba #6470028 by wolfgangth, translation #5757980 by CM
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is saying goodnight in their bedroom.
- LauraGute Nacht, Julian.Good night, Julian.
- JulianGute Nacht, Laura. Süße Träume!Good night, Laura. Sweet dreams!
- LauraDanke, dir auch süße Träume.Thanks, sweet dreams to you too.
- JulianSchlaf gut.Sleep well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sweet dreams” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries schön, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
