Translation guide
The English word "dreams" can refer to the mental experiences during sleep, as well as aspirations or hopes for the future. This guide covers both meanings and how to express them naturally in Japanese.
The mental experiences, images, or stories that occur during sleep.
The most common and general word for a dream during sleep. Can be used in almost any context.
Strong desires, ambitions, or idealistic goals for the future.
The same word as sleeping dream, but context distinguishes the meaning. Very common for personal dreams and ambitions.
English uses 'dreams' in many idiomatic expressions (e.g., 'sweet dreams,' 'dream job') that do not always use 夢 in Japanese. For 'sweet dreams,' Japanese often says いい夢を (ii yume o) or simply おやすみ (oyasumi). For 'dream job,' 夢の仕事 (yume no shigoto) is possible but 理想の仕事 (risō no shigoto) may be more natural.
夢 (yume) is the most common and covers both sleeping dreams and aspirations. 希望 (kibō) is more formal and often used in written contexts or official statements. 憧れ (akogare) emphasizes admiration and longing, often for a lifestyle or person, and is less about concrete goals.
I had a strange dream last night.
昨夜、怖い夢を見た。
I had a scary dream last night.
I was flying in my dream.
The standard verb phrase for "to have a dream" or "to dream." Literally "to see a dream."
Do you dream every night?
Specifically a nightmare or bad dream.
I had a nightmare. (I was tormented by a nightmare.)
A wet dream; nocturnal emission. A clinical term rarely used in casual conversation.
Wet dreams can occur during puberty.
My dream is to become a doctor.
It's important to chase your dreams.
More like 'hope' or 'wish.' Slightly more formal and less emotionally charged than 夢. Often used in set phrases.
We talked about our hopes for the future.
A longing or admiration, often for something idealized. Can be used for dreams in the sense of 'yearning.'
She dreams of city life. (She longs for city life.)
To make a dream come true; to realize a dream. A very common and natural phrase.
I worked hard and made my dream come true.
Follow your dreams!
My dream is to travel the world.