Meaning and Usage
"做梦" literally means "to dream" during sleep, but it is also commonly used metaphorically to describe unrealistic or fanciful thinking. When someone says "你别做梦了," they imply that the idea is impossible or unrealistic.
Common Collocations
- 做梦 (zuòmèng): to dream (while sleeping)
- 做白日梦 (zuò báirìmèng): to daydream
- 做美梦 (zuò měimèng): to have a pleasant dream
Usage Notes
"做梦" can be used both in a neutral sense (describing actual dreams during sleep) and in a negative or sarcastic sense (telling someone their hopes or ideas are unrealistic). It is often used in spoken Chinese to gently or sharply dismiss someone's unrealistic expectations.
Avoiding Confusion
Don't confuse "做梦" with "梦见" (mèngjiàn), which means "to see a dream" or "to dream of something specific." "做梦" emphasizes the act of dreaming itself, while "梦见" focuses on the content of the dream.