====== mèng mèi yǐ qiú: 梦寐以求 - To Yearn For, To Long For in One's Dreams ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** 梦寐以求, meng mei yi qiu, Chinese idiom for dream, Chinese chengyu, yearn for, longed for, dream job in Chinese, lifelong dream, aspiration, HSK 6 vocabulary.
  * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **梦寐以求 (mèng mèi yǐ qiú)**, a powerful Chinese idiom (Chengyu) used to describe a deep, long-held desire that you literally dream about day and night. This guide will teach you how to use this evocative term to express profound aspirations, such as a dream job or a lifelong goal, with cultural context and practical examples for beginner to intermediate learners.
===== Core Meaning =====
<hanziwriter>梦寐以求</hanziwriter>
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** mèng mèi yǐ qiú
  * **Part of Speech:** Chengyu (成语) / Idiom; often functions as an adjective or attributive phrase.
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 6
  * **Concise Definition:** To yearn for something so intensely that one dreams about it; to long for something day and night.
  * **In a Nutshell:** This isn't just about "wanting" something. **梦寐以求** describes a profound desire that occupies your thoughts when you're awake and appears in your dreams when you're asleep. It's a highly expressive and somewhat formal way to talk about your biggest goals and aspirations, carrying a sense of deep longing and high value.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **梦 (mèng):** Dream. This character refers to the visions and thoughts you have while sleeping.
  * **寐 (mèi):** To be in a deep sleep. This is a more literary character than the common word 睡 (shuì). It emphasizes the state of being asleep.
  * **以 (yǐ):** A classical function word. Here it acts as a connector, meaning "by means of" or "in order to." You can think of it as "to" or "with."
  * **求 (qiú):** To seek, to pursue, to request.
  
The characters literally combine to mean "[to] seek something [even] in dreams and deep sleep." This paints a vivid picture of a desire so powerful it transcends consciousness, making it one of the most poignant ways to express a deep-seated wish in Chinese.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
The term **梦寐以求** originates from the //Classic of Poetry// (《诗经》), one of the oldest collections of Chinese poetry dating back over 2,500 years. This classical origin gives it a formal and elegant flavor.
Culturally, it reflects the value placed on perseverance, ambition, and the pursuit of significant life goals. In a society that has historically valued education and stable careers, achieving a **梦寐以求** goal—like getting into a top university or landing a prestigious job—is a source of great pride for an individual and their family.
A Westerner might say, "I'm dying to get that job," or "that's my dream house." While similar, **梦寐以求** focuses more on the internal state of the person desiring it. It describes the *act* of longing and yearning itself. The English phrases are often about the object ("dream house"), whereas **梦寐以求** is about the profound emotional experience of wanting it. It's the difference between saying "that's the prize" and "that's the prize I've been thinking about every waking and sleeping moment."
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**梦寐以求** is not for everyday wants. You wouldn't use it to say you want a cup of coffee. It's reserved for significant, often life-altering desires.
  * **Formality:** It's considered fairly formal and is more common in writing, speeches, and thoughtful conversations than in casual slang.
  * **Connotation:** It is overwhelmingly positive, used to describe noble aspirations and cherished goals.
  * **Common Structure:** It is very often used as an adjective phrase to modify a noun, in the pattern:
    * `[Subject] + 梦寐以求 + 的 + [Noun]`
    * Example: `这辆车是我**梦寐以求**的车。` (This car is the car I've always dreamed of.)
It's frequently used when discussing careers, education, relationships, and major life achievements.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 这份工作就是我**梦寐以求**的。
    * Pinyin: Zhè fèn gōngzuò jiùshì wǒ **mèng mèi yǐ qiú** de.
    * English: This job is precisely the one I've been dreaming of.
    * Analysis: This is a classic and common usage. The speaker is expressing that this specific job perfectly matches their long-held career aspirations.
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 他终于考上了自己**梦寐以求**的大学。
    * Pinyin: Tā zhōngyú kǎoshàng le zìjǐ **mèng mèi yǐ qiú** de dàxué.
    * English: He finally got into the university he had always longed to attend.
    * Analysis: This sentence highlights the achievement of a major life goal after a long period of effort, a very common context for this idiom.
  * **Example 3:** 
    * 对于一个作家来说，获得这个奖项是**梦寐以求**的荣誉。
    * Pinyin: Duìyú yí ge zuòjiā lái shuō, huòdé zhège jiǎngxiàng shì **mèng mèi yǐ qiú** de róngyù.
    * English: For a writer, winning this award is a dreamed-of honor.
    * Analysis: This shows how the idiom can be used to describe a professional pinnacle or the ultimate recognition in a field.
  * **Example 4:** 
    * 在经历了很多困难之后，她终于过上了**梦寐以求**的生活。
    * Pinyin: Zài jīnglì le hěn duō kùnnan zhīhòu, tā zhōngyú guò shàng le **mèng mèi yǐ qiú** de shēnghuó.
    * English: After experiencing many hardships, she finally began living the life she had always yearned for.
    * Analysis: The desire here is for a certain lifestyle (e.g., peaceful, successful, free), not just a single object or event.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 能够亲眼看到长城，是我**梦寐以求**的事情。
    * Pinyin: Nénggòu qīnyǎn kàndào Chángchéng, shì wǒ **mèng mèi yǐ qiú** de shìqing.
    * English: To be able to see the Great Wall with my own eyes is something I have dreamed of.
    * Analysis: Perfect for describing a "bucket list" item or a travel goal that holds deep personal meaning.
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 他找到了自己**梦寐以求**的灵魂伴侣。
    * Pinyin: Tā zhǎodào le zìjǐ **mèng mèi yǐ qiú** de línghún bànlǚ.
    * English: He found the soulmate he had been dreaming of.
    * Analysis: This elevates the idea of finding a partner from a simple wish to a profound, long-sought connection.
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 这家公司给了我一个**梦寐以求**的机会去国外工作。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī gěi le wǒ yí ge **mèng mèi yǐ qiú** de jīhuì qù guówài gōngzuò.
    * English: This company gave me a dream opportunity to work abroad.
    * Analysis: The noun being modified is "机会" (jīhuì), or opportunity. This is a very common pairing.
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 对战乱中的人民来说，和平是他们**梦寐以求**的东西。
    * Pinyin: Duì zhànluàn zhōng de rénmín lái shuō, hépíng shì tāmen **mèng mèi yǐ qiú** de dōngxi.
    * English: For people in the midst of war, peace is what they long for day and night.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates the idiom's power to convey deep, serious, and fundamental human desires.
  * **Example 9:** 
    * 作为一个球迷，能得到他的亲笔签名是我**梦寐以求**的。
    * Pinyin: Zuòwéi yí ge qiúmí, néng dédào tā de qīnbǐ qiānmíng shì wǒ **mèng mèi yǐ qiú** de.
    * English: As a sports fan, getting his autograph is my dream-come-true.
    * Analysis: While used for major life goals, it can also apply to the ultimate goal within a hobby or fandom, highlighting its importance to the individual.
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 这种宁静的乡村生活，正是都市人**梦寐以求**的。
    * Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng níngjìng de xiāngcūn shēnghuó, zhèngshì dūshìrén **mèng mèi yǐ qiú** de.
    * English: This kind of tranquil country life is exactly what city dwellers yearn for.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses the idiom to describe a collective desire or a societal trend.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Mistake 1: Using it for trivial desires.**
    * A common mistake is to use **梦寐以求** for everyday wants. It's too dramatic and sounds unnatural.
    * **Incorrect:** 我**梦寐以求**一杯冰水。(I'm dreaming of a glass of ice water.)
    * **Correct:** 我好想喝杯冰水。(I'd really love to drink a glass of ice water.)
    * **Analysis:** Reserve **梦寐以求** for things with high value and long-term significance. For simple wants, use a verb like 想 (xiǎng), 想要 (xiǎngyào), or 渴望 (kěwàng) for a stronger craving.
  * **Mistake 2: Confusing it with 梦想 (mèngxiǎng).**
    * These two are related but not interchangeable. **梦想 (mèngxiǎng)** is a noun meaning "a dream" or "an aspiration." **梦寐以求** is an idiom that functions like a verb or adjective, describing the *action* of desiring that dream.
    * **Correct (Noun):** 我的**梦想**是成为一名宇航员。(My **dream** is to become an astronaut.)
    * **Correct (Adjective):** 成为宇航员是我**梦寐以求**的职业。(Becoming an astronaut is the career I've **always dreamed of**.)
    * **Incorrect:** 我的**梦寐以求**是成为一名宇航员。 (Grammatically awkward, mixes parts of speech.)
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[朝思暮想]] (zhāo sī mù xiǎng) - To think of day (朝) and night (暮). A very close synonym that also emphasizes constant longing.
  * [[心心念念]] (xīnxīn niànniàn) - To constantly think of; to keep in one's heart and mind. Similar intensity, but focuses more on the mental preoccupation rather than dreams.
  * [[渴望]] (kěwàng) - To thirst for; to crave. This is a common verb for expressing a strong desire, but it's less formal and poetic than **梦寐以求**.
  * [[向往]] (xiàngwǎng) - To yearn for; to look forward to. Often used for a place, a time period, or a certain lifestyle one wishes to experience.
  * [[日思夜想]] (rì sī yè xiǎng) - To think of day and night. A more straightforward and slightly less literary version of 朝思暮想.
  * [[求之不得]] (qiú zhī bù dé) - To seek it, but not get it. Describes the state of unfulfilled yearning. If you want something you **梦寐以求** but can't have it, you are in a state of **求之不得**.
  * [[梦想]] (mèngxiǎng) - The noun for "dream" or "aspiration." It's the goal that a person **梦寐以求**.