噩梦 — meaning in English: Nightmare

èmèng · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for nightmare

土地

tǔdì

食品

shípǐn

噩梦

èmèng

战术

zhànshù

冷

lěng

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use the term 噩梦 (èmèng) in everyday conversations when recounting a particularly frightening dream or discussing themes of fear and anxiety. It's common to hear this word in casual settings, such as among friends sharing their dreams, or in more serious discussions about mental health and stress-related sleep issues.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is 恶梦 (èmèng), which also means 'nightmare.' However, 恶梦 can carry a slightly stronger connotation of malevolence, while 噩梦 is more commonly used in everyday speech to denote any bad dream, including those that are simply unsettling rather than outright terrifying.

Culture

The characters that make up 噩梦 have intriguing origins. 噩 (è) means 'evil or ominous,' while 梦 (mèng) translates to 'dream.' This word reflects the Chinese cultural perspective on dreams, where certain dreams are seen as omens or messages from the subconscious. In traditional Chinese literature, dreams often symbolize deeper truths or insights about one's life.

FAQ

Q.What does 噩梦 mean in English?

噩梦 (èmèng) translates to 'nightmare' in English, referring to a frightening or unpleasant dream that can cause feelings of anxiety or fear upon waking.

Q.How do you use 噩梦 in a sentence?

You can use 噩梦 in a sentence like, '我昨晚做了一个噩梦,' which means 'I had a nightmare last night.'

Q.Is 噩梦 used in formal contexts?

No, 噩梦 is generally used in neutral or informal contexts. For more formal discussions about dreams, you might use terms like 梦境 (mèngjìng) for 'dreamscape.'

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