Inklingo

How to Say "dream" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “dream” is “sueño” — use 'sueño' when referring to the images, thoughts, or emotions experienced by your mind during sleep.

sueño🔊A2

Use 'sueño' when referring to the images, thoughts, or emotions experienced by your mind during sleep.

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ideal🔊A2

Use 'ideal' as an adjective to describe something that is perfect or exactly what you want, often used with nouns like 'job,' 'house,' or 'location'.

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soñado🔊B1

Use 'soñado' as an adjective to describe something that is highly desired, perfect, or longed-for, similar to 'dream come true' or 'dream job'.

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aspiración🔊B1

Use 'aspiración' when referring to a strong hope or ambition for something in the future, like a life goal or a major objective.

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visión🔊B2

Use 'visión' to describe a mental image or concept, often with a sense of foresight or a grand plan, or in a more specific context of hallucination or prophecy.

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English → Spanish

sueño

SWEN-yoˈsweɲo

nounA2general
Use 'sueño' when referring to the images, thoughts, or emotions experienced by your mind during sleep.
A character happily looking up at a bright, shimmering light that contains a miniature image of a desirable future goal.

Examples

Anoche tuve un sueño muy extraño sobre dragones.

Last night I had a very strange dream about dragons.

Mi sueño es ser un gran chef.

My dream is to be a great chef.

Fue un sueño hecho realidad.

It was a dream come true.

ideal

ee-deh-AHLiˈðeal

adjectiveA2general
Use 'ideal' as an adjective to describe something that is perfect or exactly what you want, often used with nouns like 'job,' 'house,' or 'location'.
A blue puzzle piece is perfectly clicked into its designated spot on a green surface, illustrating a perfect fit.

Examples

Esta casa tiene la ubicación ideal para mí.

This house has the ideal location for me.

Ella encontró el trabajo ideal después de graduarse.

She found the perfect job after graduating.

Para un picnic, un día soleado es ideal.

For a picnic, a sunny day is ideal.

Adjective Agreement (Easy)

Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'ideal' always stays the same regardless of whether the noun is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'el coche ideal,' 'la casa ideal').

Gender Change

Mistake: “La situación ideala.”

Correction: La situación ideal. The ending of 'ideal' does not change to match feminine nouns.

soñado

soh-NAH-dohsoˈnaðo

adjectiveB1general
Use 'soñado' as an adjective to describe something that is highly desired, perfect, or longed-for, similar to 'dream come true' or 'dream job'.
An idealized, small, cozy house with a chimney and bright windows, resting perfectly on a fluffy white cloud in a bright blue sky.

Examples

Ella consiguió el puesto soñado después de años de esfuerzo.

She got the dream job after years of effort.

Este coche deportivo es mi regalo soñado de cumpleaños.

This sports car is my ideal birthday present.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'soñado' is an adjective, you must change its ending to match the gender and number of the noun it describes: 'la vida soñada' (feminine singular) or 'los premios soñados' (masculine plural).

aspiración

ah-spee-rah-SYOHNaspiɾaˈsjon

nounB1general
Use 'aspiración' when referring to a strong hope or ambition for something in the future, like a life goal or a major objective.
A child standing on a small hill, looking up at a bright star in the sky with a look of determination and hope.

Examples

Mi mayor aspiración es viajar por todo el mundo.

My greatest aspiration is to travel the whole world.

El joven tiene aspiraciones políticas muy claras.

The young man has very clear political ambitions.

Es importante tener aspiraciones para crecer como persona.

It is important to have goals to grow as a person.

The '-ción' Rule

Most Spanish words ending in '-ción' are feminine. This means you should always use 'la' or 'una' with this word.

Connecting to Actions

When you want to say 'an aspiration to [do something]', you usually follow the word with the preposition 'de' or 'a' and then the base form of the verb.

Gender Error

Mistake: “el aspiración”

Correction: la aspiración (because it ends in -ción, it is a feminine word).

visión

vee-SYOHNbiˈsjon

nounB2general
Use 'visión' to describe a mental image or concept, often with a sense of foresight or a grand plan, or in a more specific context of hallucination or prophecy.
A simplified figure standing on a green hill at dawn, gazing confidently toward a brightly glowing, stylized castle on a distant mountain peak, representing a future goal.

Examples

El fundador estableció una visión ambiciosa para la compañía.

The founder established an ambitious vision for the company.

El santo tuvo una visión que cambió su vida.

The saint had a vision that changed his life (a spiritual experience).

Confusing 'sueño' with 'aspiración'

Learners often use 'sueño' when they mean a life goal. Remember that 'sueño' primarily refers to sleeping dreams, while 'aspiración' is for future ambitions or goals. If you're not asleep, you likely need 'aspiración' or 'visión' for a goal.

Related Translations

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