der Alptraum
nightmare
A very frightening and unpleasant dream.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin schweißgebadet aufgewacht, weil ich einen furchtbaren Alptraum hatte.
I woke up drenched in sweat because I had a terrible nightmare.
der Alptraum
nightmare
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Meanings
der Alptraum
nightmare
A very bad, distressing experience or situation in real life.
EXAMPLE
Die stundenlange Fahrt im überfüllten Zug war ein absoluter Alptraum.
The hours-long ride on the overcrowded train was an absolute nightmare.
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'Alp' and 'Traum' (dream). An 'Alp' is a mythical creature that people once believed caused bad dreams by sitting on the chest of the sleeping person.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Legende von dem Alp, der nachts kommt, hat mir als Kind Angst gemacht.
The old legend about the Alp that comes at night scared me as a child.
Typical verbs
When referring to the dream, the fixed expression 'einen Alptraum haben' (to have a nightmare) is usually used. You can also say 'aus einem Alptraum aufwachen' (to wake up from a nightmare).
EXAMPLE
Er hatte einen schlimmen Alptraum, in dem er verfolgt wurde.
He had a terrible nightmare in which he was being chased.
Context clue
The figurative meaning for a bad experience is often intensified by adjectives like 'absolut' (absolute), 'rein' (pure), or 'wahr' (true). The literal meaning (dream) usually does not need this intensification.
EXAMPLE
Die Renovierung unserer Wohnung war ein absoluter Alptraum.
Renovating our apartment was an absolute nightmare.
In real life
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