Meaning and Usage
The verb '꿈꾸다' primarily means 'to dream' in two main senses: experiencing dreams during sleep and imagining or aspiring to something in the future. It is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts.
Common Contexts
- Literal dreaming during sleep: "어젯밤에 꿈을 꾸었어요" (I had a dream last night).
- Aspirations or hopes: "꿈꾸다" often appears with future-oriented goals or desires, e.g., "세계 여행을 꿈꾸다" (to dream of traveling the world).
Collocations and Patterns
- 꿈을 꾸다: to have a dream (literal or figurative)
- 꿈꾸는 대로: as one dreams, implying wishes coming true
- 꿈을 이루다: to fulfill a dream
Register and Usage Notes
'꿈꾸다' is a standard verb used in everyday conversation and writing. It is neutral in formality but often appears in poetic or inspirational contexts when referring to hopes and dreams.
Common Learner Pitfall
Do not confuse '꿈꾸다' with '꿈' alone. '꿈' is the noun 'dream,' while '꿈꾸다' is the action 'to dream.' Also, avoid using '꿈꾸다' for daydreaming in casual speech; instead, expressions like '공상하다' or '상상하다' might be more appropriate depending on context.