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.
The standard verb phrase for "to have a dream" or "to dream." Literally "to see a dream."
Specifically a nightmare or bad dream.
悪夢にうなされた。
I had a nightmare. (I was tormented by a nightmare.)
A wet dream; nocturnal emission. A clinical term rarely used in casual conversation.
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.
昨夜、変な夢を見た。
I had a strange dream last night.
夢を追いかけよう！
Follow your dreams!
私の夢は世界を旅することです。
My dream is to travel the world.
I had a scary dream last night.
夢の中で空を飛んでいた。
I was flying in my dream.
毎晩、夢を見ますか？
Do you dream every night?
Wet dreams can occur during puberty.
私の夢は医者になることです。
My dream is to become a doctor.
夢を追いかけるのは大切だ。
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.
将来の希望について話し合った。
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.'
彼女は都会の生活に憧れている。
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.
努力して夢を叶えた。
I worked hard and made my dream come true.