夢

• Reading: ゆめ
• Romaji: yume
• Kanji breakdown: 夢 (yume/mu) — dream
• Pronunciation: /jɯ.me/

Meaning

Dream. Both a sleeping dream and an aspiration or life goal.

Carries a dual meaning like English 'dream' — the visions experienced during sleep and one's hopes or ambitions. Frequently combined with other words: 夢中 (muchū, absorbed in), 悪夢 (akumu, nightmare). A culturally important concept in Japanese education and self-expression.

Examples

1. 昨日おもしろい夢を見ました。 I had an interesting dream last night.
2. 私の夢は先生になることです。 My dream is to become a teacher.
3. 夢のような一日でした。 It was a dream-like day.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, aspirations, conversation

Tone: warm

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 夢 depicts a person lying down at night with eyes closed, evoking the state of dreaming during sleep.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal