梦想
A dream is a strong hope or desire for something you want to achieve in the future.
Explanation at your level:
A dream is something you want. You think about it a lot. For example, you want to be a teacher. That is your dream. It makes you happy to think about it.
A dream is a goal for your life. You work hard to reach your dream. Many people have a dream of traveling to a new country or learning a new language.
The word 'dream' or 'aspiration' describes a strong desire to achieve something. It is often a long-term plan. When you 'chase your dream,' you are taking steps every day to make it happen.
Beyond simple goals, a 'dream' represents an idealized vision of the future. It carries emotional weight and requires persistence. We often use it to describe professional ambitions or personal milestones that define our identity.
In advanced discourse, a dream can represent a societal vision or a philosophical pursuit. It distinguishes between mere 'wishes'—which are passive—and 'dreams,' which are active, driving forces behind human innovation and perseverance in the face of adversity.
At the highest level, the concept of a dream intersects with existentialism and cultural identity. It is the bridge between the 'possible' and the 'actual.' Historically and literarily, it is often contrasted with reality, serving as a catalyst for change or a source of profound melancholic reflection on the human condition.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 梦想 means dream or aspiration.
- It is used for life goals.
- It is a very positive word.
- It is a common topic in conversation.
When we talk about 梦想 (mèng xiǎng), we are talking about more than just what happens when you sleep. It is your aspiration, your big goal, or that special thing you really want to achieve in life.
Think of it as the vision you have for your future self. Whether it is becoming an artist, traveling the world, or helping others, your dream is the spark that keeps you moving forward even when things get tough. It is deeply personal and often reflects what we value most in the world.
The word 梦想 is a compound of two characters. 梦 (mèng) originally depicted a person lying under a canopy or in a dark room, representing the state of sleep. 想 (xiǎng) combines a heart radical with 'think,' representing deep contemplation or longing.
Historically, the combination evolved from describing literal dreams during sleep to representing the mental projection of future desires. It is a beautiful linguistic evolution from the unconscious mind to conscious ambition.
You will hear this word used in both casual and formal settings. In casual talk, you might say, 'My dream is to visit Japan.' In formal or inspirational speeches, it is used to discuss life goals or collective visions.
Common collocations include 实现梦想 (realize a dream) or 追逐梦想 (chase a dream). It is a very positive word that carries a sense of hope and determination.
1. 梦想成真 (A dream comes true): Used when a goal is finally achieved. 2. 痴人说梦 (An idiot's dream): Used for unrealistic or silly ideas. 3. 如梦初醒 (Awakening from a dream): Realizing the truth after being confused. 4. 梦寐以求 (Dreaming of it even in sleep): Something you desire very intensely. 5. 黄粱一梦 (A dream of yellow millet): A story about the fleeting nature of fame and fortune.
In Chinese, 梦想 functions as a noun, but can also act as a verb in some contexts. It does not have plural forms like English nouns; the context determines if you are talking about one or many dreams.
Pronunciation: The first character is mèng (fourth tone, falling), and the second is xiǎng (third tone, dipping). It rhymes with words like liǎng (two) or jiǎng (to speak).
Fun Fact
The character '梦' has a 'bed' radical in some ancient scripts.
Pronunciation Guide
Falling tone followed by dipping tone.
Consistent with standard Mandarin.
Common Errors
- Mixing up tones
- Pronouncing 'x' as 's'
- Ignoring the third tone dip
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun usage
我的梦想
Verb-Object
实现梦想
Sentence structure
梦想是...
Examples by Level
我的梦想是当医生。
My dream is to be a doctor.
Simple copula sentence.
梦想很美。
Dreams are beautiful.
Adjective predicate.
你有梦想吗？
Do you have a dream?
Question particle.
我有一个梦想。
I have a dream.
Standard SVO.
梦想是希望。
Dreams are hope.
Noun definition.
他谈论梦想。
He talks about dreams.
Verb-Object.
这是我的梦想。
This is my dream.
Demonstrative.
梦想会实现。
Dreams will come true.
Future tense.
我要努力实现梦想。
梦想带给我力量。
每个人都有梦想。
不要放弃你的梦想。
他的梦想是环游世界。
这是关于梦想的故事。
梦想让生活更精彩。
我正在追逐梦想。
实现梦想需要时间和毅力。
他为了梦想离开了家乡。
梦想与现实往往有差距。
她把实现梦想作为目标。
这不仅仅是一个梦想。
我们应该鼓励孩子追求梦想。
梦想是成功的动力。
他终于实现了儿时的梦想。
他始终坚持着自己的梦想。
梦想被现实击碎了。
这个项目承载着他的梦想。
我们不能让梦想随时间流逝。
他将梦想转化为了实际行动。
梦想的实现并非一蹴而就。
她是一个有梦想的年轻人。
梦想给了他面对困难的勇气。
他将毕生的梦想倾注于这项研究。
梦想往往是推动社会进步的源泉。
在残酷的现实面前，他依然守护着梦想。
梦想与野心在某种程度上是重叠的。
他试图在梦想与生活之间寻求平衡。
这个梦想激励了整整一代人。
实现梦想的过程往往比结果更重要。
他以梦想为灯塔，指引前行的方向。
梦想不仅是心灵的慰藉，更是灵魂的远征。
他那宏大的梦想在现实中显得有些虚幻。
梦想的破灭让他陷入了深深的沉思。
在这纷繁复杂的世界中，梦想显得尤为珍贵。
他不仅有梦想，更有实现梦想的蓝图。
梦想的本质在于对未知的不断探索。
他的一生都在为那个遥不可及的梦想而奋斗。
梦想是人类超越自我局限的终极追求。
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"梦想成真"
A dream comes true
希望你的梦想成真。
neutral"痴人说梦"
Talking nonsense/unrealistic
这简直是痴人说梦。
derogatory"梦寐以求"
Desire something in one's dreams
这是我梦寐以求的机会。
formal"黄粱一梦"
Fleeting fame/fortune
名利终究是黄粱一梦。
literary"如梦初醒"
Suddenly realizing the truth
他听了之后如梦初醒。
neutral"同床异梦"
Same bed, different dreams
他们虽然合作，但同床异梦。
formalEasily Confused
Both involve 'dream'
幻想 is unrealistic/fantasy.
不要活在幻想里。
Both are goals
理想 is more practical/career-focused.
我的理想是当医生。
Both are desires
愿望 is a specific wish.
我的愿望是买个手机。
Both have '梦'
梦境 refers to the scene of a dream.
梦境很美。
Sentence Patterns
我的梦想是 + [verb phrase]
我的梦想是去北京。
实现 + 梦想
他实现了梦想。
追逐 + 梦想
我在追逐梦想。
坚持 + 梦想
他坚持梦想。
梦想 + 成为 + [noun]
梦想成为一名医生。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget it means ambition.
Wish is often short-term.
Don't treat it as a verb 'to dream'.
梦想 is positive, 幻想 is often unrealistic.
Chinese nouns don't change.
Tips
Visual Trick
See the 'eye' in '想'.
Native Context
Used in motivational speeches.
Cultural Insight
Often linked to family expectations.
Shortcut
Always follows '我的' (my).
Tone Tip
Focus on the 4th tone.
Mistake
Don't confuse with '幻觉'.
Did You Know?
It's a very popular tattoo word.
Smart Study
Use it in a sentence about yourself.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a person sleeping (梦) and thinking (想) about their future.
Visual Association
A cloud with a star inside.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down one dream for this year.
Word Origin
Chinese
Original meaning: Sleep visions and mental longing
Cultural Context
None
The concept is universal, often linked to 'The American Dream'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At school
- 我的梦想是上大学
- 老师问我们的梦想
- 为了梦想学习
At work
- 实现职业梦想
- 为了梦想努力
- 梦想与现实
Travel
- 环游世界的梦想
- 梦想之地
- 实现旅行梦想
Inspiration
- 追逐梦想
- 梦想成真
- 不要放弃梦想
Conversation Starters
"你小时候的梦想是什么？"
"你现在还在追逐梦想吗？"
"你认为梦想重要吗？"
"你如何实现梦想？"
"你有梦想成真的经历吗？"
Journal Prompts
Describe your biggest dream.
How has your dream changed over time?
What is one step you can take toward your dream today?
Write about a dream that came true.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is primarily used for life goals.
Yes, '我梦想着...' (I am dreaming of...).
It is neutral and widely used.
理想 is more about career/life principles.
追逐梦想.
Chinese does not count nouns like English.
Use '梦幻的' for dreamy.
It combines sleep and thought.
Test Yourself
我的___是当老师。
梦想 fits the context of a goal.
What does 梦想 mean?
Direct definition.
梦想 can only mean sleeping visions.
It also means life goals.
Word
Meaning
Common collocation.
Subject-Verb-Object.
Score: /5
Summary
A dream is the bridge between who you are and who you want to become.
- 梦想 means dream or aspiration.
- It is used for life goals.
- It is a very positive word.
- It is a common topic in conversation.
Visual Trick
See the 'eye' in '想'.
Native Context
Used in motivational speeches.
Cultural Insight
Often linked to family expectations.
Shortcut
Always follows '我的' (my).
Example
他的梦想是成为一名医生。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
佩服
B1To admire; to respect.
