mèng mèi yǐ qiú: 梦寐以求 - To Yearn For, To Long For in One's Dreams

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.”

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 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.

• 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.)

• 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.