The word 梦想 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a layer of meaning to create a unified concept. The first character, 梦 (mèng), means "dream" as in the visions of sleep, representing the subconscious, the intangible, and the realm of pure imagination. The second, 想 (xiǎng), means "to think", "to long for", or "to desire", representing active consciousness, yearning, and mental aspiration. Together, they merge the subconscious imagery of a "dream" with the conscious act of "longing", poetically forming the concept of a "dream" in the aspirational sense, a cherished hope or ambition for the future that one actively holds in mind.