Definitions

mèng (noun) dream
mèng (verb) to dream

Etymology

Simplified form of . Depicts a person with an emphasized eye (𦰋) sleeping on a bed (), conveying the meaning "dream". 𦰋 also represents the sound. The (bed) component was later reanalyzed as meaning component (evening).

About

The character for "dream" exists in traditional and simplified forms as 夢 and 梦, both incorporating the component 夕 meaning "evening" to semantically connect to the night when dreams typically occur. The traditional character 夢 structurally combines 夕 with additional elements that historically contributed to its phonetic and semantic value, while the simplified form 梦 replaces the upper part with 林, meaning "forest", to create a more phonetically driven representation based on the pronunciation "mèng". Etymologically, the character has been associated with the experience of dreams during sleep, and over time its usage expanded to include metaphorical meanings such as illusions, aspirations, and fantasies, reflecting a shift from purely literal to broader figurative applications.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我昨晚做了一个

Wǒ zuó wǎn zuò le yí gè mèng.

I had a dream last night.

我的想是成为一名医生。

Wǒ de mèngxiǎng shì chéngwéi yì míng yīshēng.

My dream is to become a doctor.

这个故事仿佛是一场境。

Zhège gùshi fǎngfú shì yì chǎng mèngjìng.

This story is just like a dreamscape.

她终于想成真,考上了大学。

Tā zhōngyú mèngxiǎng chéng zhēn, kǎo shàng le dàxué.

Her dream finally came true; she got into university.

童年的想常常是最纯粹的。

Tóngnián de mèngxiǎng chángcháng shì zuì chúncuì de.

Childhood dreams are often the purest.

他沉浸在往事的幻中,无法自拔。

Tā chénjìn zài wǎngshì de mènghuàn zhōng, wúfǎ zì bá.

He was lost in the illusion of the past, unable to extricate himself.

这场音乐会的效果宛如一场瑰丽的

Zhè chǎng yīnyuèhuì de xiàoguǒ wǎnrú yì chǎng guīlì de mèng.

The effect of this concert was like a magnificent dream.

人类对未知世界的探索,是一场永不停歇的

Rénlèi duì wèizhī shìjiè de tànsuǒ, shì yì chǎng yǒng bù tíngxiē de mèng.

Humanity's exploration of the unknown world is a dream that never ceases.