魇 (yǎn) - Nightmare — a frightening or unpleasant dream & to have a nightmare

魇Tone 3

yǎn ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

妍嬿

魇 · yǎn

Nightmare — a frightening or unpleasant dream;

to have a nightmare;

also refers to being tormented or haunted by something.

Nightmare — a frightening or unpleasant dreamto have a nightmarealso refers to being tormented or haunted by

Usage highlights

NightmareTo have a nightmareNightmare disorderNightmare tormentWake from nightmareNightmare state

Synonyms

  • 噩梦— bad dream, nightmare
  • 恶梦— evil dream, nightmare

Antonyms

  • 美梦— sweet dream, pleasant dream
  • 吉梦— auspicious dream, lucky dream

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I had a terrible nightmare last night (昨晚做了个噩梦).
  • The child woke up screaming from a nightmare (从梦魇中惊醒).
  • He is haunted by nightmares of the accident (被事故的梦魇折磨).
  • The experience left her with recurring nightmares (反复出现的梦魇).

Collocations

  • Nightmare(梦魇)
  • To have a nightmare(魇住)
  • Nightmare disorder(魇症)
  • Nightmare torment(魇魔)
  • Wake from nightmare(惊魇)
  • Nightmare state(魇态)

Idioms

  • Like a nightmare that won't end(如魇缠身)
  • Waking from a nightmare only to find reality worse(魇醒更悲)
  • Tormented by nightmares day and night(日夜为魇所困)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese folk belief, nightmares were often attributed to evil spirits or demons pressing on the sleeper's chest.
  • The character contains 鬼 (ghost/demon) as semantic component, reflecting the supernatural interpretation of nightmares.
  • Dream interpretation has long been significant in Chinese culture, with nightmares seen as ominous signs or spiritual disturbances.

FAQ