Kana Kanji

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Lesson 3: 夢 (Dream)

Radicals in 夢

The kanji 夢 (yume, meaning "dream") is a complex character with components that evoke its ethereal nature. It is traditionally classified under the 夕 (evening) radical, linking it to the time when dreams often occur.

  • 夕 (Evening Radical): The left part, Radical 36, means "evening" or "dusk," suggesting dreams tied to night.
  • 艸 (Grass Radical): The top part, Radical 140 in its old form (now simplified as ⺈), resembles grass or a cover, possibly hinting at dreams as something soft or intangible.
  • 冖 (Cover Radical): Below the grass, Radical 14, a cover, adds to the sense of something hidden or enclosed.
  • 目 (Eye Radical): The bottom right, Radical 109, means "eye," symbolizing what is seen in a dream.

Visually, 夢 combines evening (夕) with a scene seen by the eye (目) under a cover (冖, 艸)—a perfect metaphor for dreams as visions of the night. Fun fact: Its intricate design reflects the mysterious, layered nature of dreaming.

Examples of 夢 in Use

Here are some common words and phrases using 夢

夢 (yume)

Meaning: Dream

Hiragana: ゆめ

Example: 昨夜、夢を見た。
(Sakuya, yume o mita.)
"I had a dream last night."

夢中 (muchū)

Meaning: Absorbed / Crazy about

Hiragana: むちゅう

Example: ゲームに夢中だ。
(Gēmu ni muchū da.)
"I’m absorbed in the game."

悪夢 (akumu)

Meaning: Nightmare

Hiragana: あくむ

Example: 悪夢で目が覚めた。
(Akumu de me ga sameta.)
"I woke up from a nightmare."

夢想 (musō)

Meaning: Daydream / Fantasy

Hiragana: むそう

Example: 夢想にふける。
(Musō ni fukeru.)
"I indulge in daydreams."

夢見 (yumemi)

Meaning: Dreaming

Hiragana: ゆめみ

Example: 夢見が悪い。
(Yumemi ga warui.)
"I have bad dreams."

夢物語 (yumemonogatari)

Meaning: Dream story / Fantasy tale

Hiragana: ゆめものがたり

Example: それは夢物語だ。
(Sore wa yumemonogatari da.)
"That’s a dream story."

夢幻 (mugen)

Meaning: Illusion / Phantom

Hiragana: むげん

Example: 夢幻の世界。
(Mugen no sekai.)
"A world of illusions."

正夢 (masayume)

Meaning: Dream that comes true

Hiragana: まさゆめ

Example: 正夢になった。
(Masayume ni natta.)
"It became a true dream."

夢心地 (yumegokochi)

Meaning: Dreamy state

Hiragana: ゆめごこち

Example: 夢心地でいる。
(Yumegokochi de iru.)
"I’m in a dreamy state."

夢路 (yumeji)

Meaning: Path of dreams

Hiragana: ゆめじ

Example: 夢路をたどる。
(Yumeji o tadoru.)
"I follow the path of dreams."

The kanji 夢 captures the fleeting, imaginative essence of dreams, spanning sleep, aspirations, and illusions.