der Traum
dream
A sequence of images, thoughts, and feelings that one experiences during sleep.
EXAMPLE
Ich hatte letzte Nacht einen sehr lebhaften Traum.
I had a very vivid dream last night.
der Traum
dream
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Meanings
der Traum
dream
A deep wish or a goal that one wants to achieve in life.
EXAMPLE
Sein größter Traum ist es, einmal um die Welt zu segeln.
His biggest dream is to sail around the world someday.
der Traum
dream
A person or thing that is perceived as ideal, beautiful, or perfect.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Haus am See ist ein absoluter Traum.
This house by the lake is an absolute dream.
im Traum nicht daran denken
to not dream of doing something
To not do or consider something under any circumstances.
EXAMPLE
Ich würde im Traum nicht daran denken, meine Freunde anzulügen.
I wouldn't dream of lying to my friends.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Traum' (dream) is closely related to the verb 'träumen' (to dream). Both words share the same stem and refer to the world of wishes and experiences during sleep.
EXAMPLE
Als Kind träumte ich davon, Astronaut zu werden.
As a child, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut.
Preposition with dative
Both the noun and the verb are very often used with the preposition 'von' (of/about) and the dative. This construction describes the content of the dream or wish.
EXAMPLE
Er erzählte mir von seinem Traum, ein eigenes Café zu eröffnen.
He told me about his dream of opening his own café.
Typical collocations
When talking about sleep, 'Traum' (dream) is often combined with verbs such as 'einen Traum haben' (to have a dream), 'aus einem Traum erwachen' (to wake from a dream), or 'jemanden aus seinen Träumen reißen' (to tear someone from their dreams). A bad dream is called an 'Albtraum' (nightmare).
EXAMPLE
Ich hatte einen furchtbaren Albtraum und bin schweißgebadet aufgewacht.
I had a terrible nightmare and woke up drenched in sweat.
Typical collocations
When a wish is meant, typical verbs are 'einen Traum verwirklichen' (to make a dream come true), 'seinen Traum leben' (to live one's dream), or 'einen Traum aufgeben' (to give up a dream). These phrases describe how one deals with one's life goals.
EXAMPLE
Mit dem neuen Job hat sie sich endlich einen großen Traum verwirklicht.
With the new job, she has finally made a big dream come true.
Usage pattern
To describe something as ideal, you can use the construction 'ein Traum von einem/einer ...' (a dream of a ...). The word is used here to express very high appreciation.
EXAMPLE
Sie trug ein Traum von einem Abendkleid.
She was wearing a dream of an evening dress.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'im Traum nicht daran denken' (to not dream of doing something) is a fixed structure. It is often expanded with a 'zu' infinitive construction to emphasize that one would absolutely never do something.
EXAMPLE
Ich würde im Traum nicht daran denken, meinen Job zu kündigen.
I wouldn't dream of quitting my job.
Compare with
Traum vs Wunsch
wish
Both words can refer to something a person hopes for in life. A „Wunsch“ can be smaller and may come true soon, while a „Traum“ usually describes a particularly big or idealized hope. Use „Wunsch“ for a specific concern and „Traum“ for a major life goal.
Traum
Mein Traum ist es, einmal ein eigenes Café zu eröffnen.
My dream is to open my own café someday.
Wunsch
Mein Wunsch ist, dieses Jahr eine längere Reise zu machen.
My wish is to take a longer trip this year.
In real life
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