zuòmèng: 做梦 - To Dream

• Keywords: zuomeng, 做梦, how to say dream in Chinese, to dream in Chinese, to daydream, stop dreaming in Chinese, Chinese dream meaning, zai zuomeng ma, mengxiang vs zuomeng
• Summary: Learn how to use the versatile Chinese word “做梦” (zuòmèng), which means “to dream.” This page explores its two main uses: the literal act of dreaming while you sleep and its common, figurative use to mean “daydreaming” or being unrealistic. Discover how a simple phrase like “你在做梦吗?” (Are you dreaming?) is a common way to call someone out for being naive, and understand the crucial difference between 做梦 (the act of dreaming) and 梦想 (an aspiration or goal).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zuòmèng
• Part of Speech: Verb-Object Phrase (often used as a single verb)
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To have a dream (while asleep) or to daydream (to be unrealistic).
• In a Nutshell: “做梦” (zuòmèng) literally translates to “to make a dream.” It's the most common and direct way to talk about the dreams you have at night. However, its real power in daily conversation comes from its figurative meaning. When someone tells you you're “做梦,” they're often saying “Get real!” or “In your dreams!” It's a blunt way to dismiss an idea as pure fantasy.

• 做 (zuò): This character means “to do,” “to make,” or “to be.” It's composed of the person radical (亻) on the left and a phonetic component on the right, indicating an action done by a person.
• 梦 (mèng): This character means “dream.” The top part originally depicted a bed or a net, and the bottom character is 夕 (xī), which means “dusk” or “evening.” Together, they create the image of something that happens in the evening or while in bed.
• The characters combine in a very direct “verb-object” structure: 做 (to do/make) + 梦 (a dream) = to dream.

In Chinese culture, dreams have long been seen as more than just random neural firings. The classic text “The Duke of Zhou's Interpretation of Dreams” (《周公解梦》, Zhōugōng Jiěmèng) is a famous example of the ancient tradition of dream analysis for predicting fortune. While not everyone takes it seriously today, the idea that dreams can have meaning is still present. The most significant cultural nuance for a learner is the figurative use of “做梦” compared to the “American Dream.” The “American Dream” is an aspirational concept—a societal ideal that is considered attainable through hard work. In contrast, when someone in China says “别做梦了!” (bié zuòmèng le! - “Stop dreaming!”), it's almost always a dismissal of an idea as impossible or naive. It reflects a pragmatic, sometimes cynical, worldview, cautioning against unrealistic fantasies rather than encouraging lofty goals. For aspirational dreams, the word 梦想 (mèngxiǎng) is used instead, which carries a more positive and serious weight.

“做梦” is used constantly in both literal and figurative ways.

• Literal Dreaming: When talking about what happened while you were asleep.
  • Example: “我昨晚做了一个很奇怪的梦。” (Wǒ zuówǎn zuòle yí ge hěn qíguài de mèng.) - “I had a very strange dream last night.”
• Figurative “Daydreaming” (Dismissive/Negative): This is the most common colloquial usage. It's used to tell someone that what they want or think is completely unrealistic. It's informal and very direct.
  • Example: “一个月就想学会中文？你做梦吧！” (Yí ge yuè jiù xiǎng xuéhuì Zhōngwén? Nǐ zuòmèng ba!) - “You want to master Chinese in one month? You must be dreaming!”
• Expressing a Strong Desire: In the pattern “做梦都想…” (zuòmèng dōu xiǎng…), it means to want something so badly you even dream about it. This is a positive and emphatic usage.
  • Example: “我做梦都想买那辆车。” (Wǒ zuòmèng dōu xiǎng mǎi nà liàng chē.) - “I'm dying to buy that car.” (Lit: “I even think of buying that car in my dreams.”)

• Example 1:
  • 我昨天晚上做梦了，梦见我会飞了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuótiān wǎnshang zuòmèng le, mèngjiàn wǒ huì fēi le.
  • English: I dreamed last night that I could fly.
  • Analysis: A simple, literal use of the term. Note how it's often paired with 梦见 (mèngjiàn), which means “to dream of” and introduces the specific content of the dream.
• Example 2:
  • A: 我想让他请我吃饭。 B: 你做梦！他那么小气。
  • Pinyin: A: Wǒ xiǎng ràng tā qǐng wǒ chīfàn. B: Nǐ zuòmèng! Tā nàme xiǎoqì.
  • English: A: I want to get him to treat me to a meal. B: In your dreams! He's so stingy.
  • Analysis: A classic example of “做梦” used as a sharp, informal retort meaning “That's impossible!” or “No way!”
• Example 3:
  • 别做梦了，我们不可能在一天之内完成这个项目。
  • Pinyin: Bié zuòmèng le, wǒmen bù kěnéng zài yī tiān zhī nèi wánchéng zhège xiàngmù.
  • English: Stop dreaming, it's impossible for us to finish this project in one day.
  • Analysis: “别做梦了” (bié zuòmèng le) is a very common set phrase used to tell someone to be realistic. It's like saying “Get your head out of the clouds.”
• Example 4:
  • 他上课的时候总是在做梦，根本没听老师讲课。
  • Pinyin: Tā shàngkè de shíhou zǒngshì zài zuòmèng, gēnběn méi tīng lǎoshī jiǎngkè.
  • English: He's always daydreaming in class and doesn't listen to the teacher at all.
  • Analysis: Here, “做梦” means to daydream or to not be paying attention. It implies the person's mind is elsewhere.
• Example 5:
  • 我做梦都想去中国看看长城。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuòmèng dōu xiǎng qù Zhōngguó kànkan Chángchéng.
  • English: I'm dying to go to China to see the Great Wall.
  • Analysis: The structure “做梦都想…” (zuòmèng dōu xiǎng…) is a fixed pattern used to express a very strong desire for something. It's a positive and powerful expression.
• Example 6:
  • 你是不是在做梦？这种好事怎么可能轮到你？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shì bu shì zài zuòmèng? Zhè zhǒng hǎoshì zěnme kěnéng lúndào nǐ?
  • English: Are you dreaming? How could something so good possibly happen to you?
  • Analysis: A rhetorical question used to express disbelief or to tease someone about their good fortune or unrealistic hopes.
• Example 7:
  • 我昨晚做了一个噩梦，吓死我了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuówǎn zuòle yí ge èmèng, xià sǐ wǒ le.
  • English: I had a nightmare last night, it scared me to death.
  • Analysis: This shows how “做” and “梦” can be separated. Here, “梦” is modified by “噩” (è - evil) to form 噩梦 (èmèng - nightmare), but the verb is still “做”.
• Example 8:
  • 他整天做着发财的白日梦，却从不努力工作。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhěngtiān zuòzhe fācái de báirìmèng, què cóngbù nǔlì gōngzuò.
  • English: He spends all day having daydreams about getting rich, but never works hard.
  • Analysis: This introduces the specific term for daydream, 白日梦 (báirìmèng), literally “white sun dream.” The verb used with it is still “做”.
• Example 9:
  • 花一百块钱就想买一部新手机？我看你是在做梦。
  • Pinyin: Huā yìbǎi kuài qián jiù xiǎng mǎi yí bù xīn shǒujī? Wǒ kàn nǐ shì zài zuòmèng.
  • English: You want to buy a new phone for 100 RMB? I think you're dreaming.
  • Analysis: “我看你是在做梦” (Wǒ kàn nǐ shì zài zuòmèng) is a slightly softer, but still direct, way of saying “I think you're being unrealistic.”
• Example 10:
  • 这听起来太美好了，我感觉像在做梦一样。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tīngqilai tài měihǎo le, wǒ gǎnjué xiàng zài zuòmèng yíyàng.
  • English: This sounds too good to be true, I feel like I'm dreaming.
  • Analysis: In this context, “做梦” is used positively to describe a surreal and wonderful experience, similar to the English phrase “I feel like I'm in a dream.”

The biggest mistake for learners is confusing 做梦 (zuòmèng) with 梦想 (mèngxiǎng). They both relate to “dreams,” but are not interchangeable.

• 做梦 (zuòmèng): A verb-object phrase. It is the action of dreaming (literal or figurative). It often implies something unrealistic or passive.
• 梦想 (mèngxiǎng): A noun. It is the concept of a dream, an aspiration, a goal. It is almost always positive and serious.

Think of it this way: you do a `做梦` (you have a dream), but you have a `梦想` (you have an aspiration). Incorrect Usage Example:

• Incorrect: 我的做梦是成为一名医生。(Wǒ de zuòmèng shì chéngwéi yī míng yīshēng.)
• Why it's wrong: This sentence translates to “My having a dream is to become a doctor,” which is grammatically awkward and nonsensical. You are trying to use the action of dreaming as a noun for your life's goal.
• Correct: 我的梦想是成为一名医生。(Wǒ de mèngxiǎng shì chéngwéi yī míng yīshēng.) - My dream (aspiration) is to become a doctor.

• 梦想 (mèngxiǎng) - The noun for a dream, aspiration, or ambition. The most important related term to distinguish from 做梦.
• 梦见 (mèngjiàn) - A verb meaning “to dream of” or “to see in a dream.” It's used to introduce the content of a dream (e.g., 我梦见你 - I dreamed of you).
• 噩梦 (èmèng) - A noun meaning “nightmare.” The verb used with it is still 做 (e.g., 做噩梦 - to have a nightmare).
• 白日梦 (báirìmèng) - A noun meaning “daydream.” Literally “white-day dream.” Often has a negative connotation of being lazy or unrealistic.
• 梦乡 (mèngxiāng) - A literary noun for “dreamland.” (e.g., 进入梦乡 - to fall asleep).
• 解梦 (jiěmèng) - A verb meaning “to interpret a dream.”
• 痴人说梦 (chīrénshuōmèng) - An idiom meaning “a fool's dream talk.” Used to describe a proposal or idea that is completely absurd and nonsensical.
• 朝思暮想 (zhāosīmùxiǎng) - An idiom meaning “to yearn for day and night.” Describes a very strong longing, similar in feeling to the positive use of “做梦都想”.