We all dream. Whether it’s a bizarre adventure while you’re fast asleep or a pleasant fantasy while you’re staring out the window, dreams are a universal human experience. To practice understanding dreams in context, check out our Spanish Stories.
You might have come across the verb soñarto dream, but it's not always used alone. Two phrases, soñar con and soñar despierto, are essential for talking about your dreams, but they mean very different things. If you need a refresher on how to use this verb, review our guide on A1 Present Tense Regular -AR verbs.
Let's untangle these dreamy phrases so you can talk about your nightly adventures and your daytime wishes like a pro.
Soñar Con: Dreaming While You Sleep
When you're talking about the dreams you have when you're actually asleep, the phrase you need is soñar con.
The most important word here is con. In English, we say "I dreamed about..." or "I dreamed of...". In Spanish, the correct preposition is always con. This is a common stumbling block for learners, who might want to use sobre or de.
Golden Rule
Remember this simple formula: Soñar + con + [the person, thing, or activity you dreamed about].
Think of it as dreaming with something in your dream.
Here’s how it looks in action:
- Anoche soñé con mi perro. (Last night I dreamed about my dog.)
- A menudo sueño con volarflying. (I often dream about flying.)
- Mi hermana sueña con ser una cantantesinger famosa. (My sister dreams of being a famous singer.)
Using the wrong preposition is a dead giveaway that you're not a native speaker. Let's make sure you get it right!
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Let's Practice!
Ready to build a sentence? Put these words in the right order.
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence:
Soñar Despierto: The Art of Daydreaming
Now, what about those dreams you have when you're wide awake? When your mind wanders during a meeting or you find yourself picturing your next vacation, you are soñando despierto.
The phrase is wonderfully literal:
- Soñar = to dream
- Despierto = awake
Put them together, and you get "to dream awake," which is the perfect Spanish equivalent of "to daydream."
Check out these examples:
- Paso mucho tiempo soñando despierto en la oficinaoffice. (I spend a lot of time daydreaming at the office.)
- En lugar de estudiar, ella estaba soñando despierta con sus vacacionesvacation. (Instead of studying, she was daydreaming about her vacation.)
- ¡Deja de soñar despierto y presta atención! (Stop daydreaming and pay attention!)
Notice that despierto can change to despierta to match the gender of the person who is daydreaming. If a woman (ella) is daydreaming, you say she is soñando despierta.
Quick Test: Which Phrase is Which?
Think you've got it? Let's test your knowledge with a quick question.
You're sitting in class, imagining you're on a sunny beach. Which phrase should you use?
The Takeaway
It’s pretty simple once you see them side-by-side:
| Phrase | Meaning | When to Use It | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soñar con | To dream about | For dreams you have while you are asleep. | Soñé con mi abuela. (I dreamed about my grandma.) |
| Soñar despierto | To daydream | For fantasies you have while you are awake. | Me gusta soñar despierto. (I like to daydream.) |
And there you have it! Now you can clearly distinguish between your nightly subconscious adventures and your conscious, wishful thinking. Whether you're sharing a strange dream with a friend or admitting you were lost in thought, you have the right words for the job.
Sweet dreams, or as they say in Spanish, ¡dulces sueños!