dream

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 夢 means dream; its kun-reading is ゆめ and its on-reading is む.
• Basic usage: 夢(ゆめ) means a dream or aspiration, while 夢中(むちゅう) describes being absorbed in something.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Dreaming asleep and being absorbed while awake
  • 空を飛ぶ夢 means a dream of flying through the sky. 夢 also applies to a future aspiration, such as becoming a doctor.
  • 本に夢中 means being engrossed in a book. It describes absorption in a current activity, as when someone misses a stop while reading.