Definition
梦魇 literally means 'nightmare' but specifically refers to a dream where you feel something heavy is pressing on your chest, making it hard to breathe or move — the Chinese folk term for sleep paralysis. In modern usage, it often simply means 'terrible dream' or 'horrifying experience.' The word carries a stronger, more literary tone than the everyday 噩梦 (èmèng).
n.
nightmarehorrifying dream (often with a suffocating sensation)sleep paralysis (common folk explanation for the feeling of being pressed down)
Examples
- 梦魇，。Zuówǎn wǒ zuò le yí gè kěpà de mèng yǎn, xǐng lái hòu xīn tiào de lìhai.I had a horrible nightmare last night — my heart was pounding when I woke up.
- 梦魇，。Tā jīngcháng bèi mèng yǎn kùnrǎo, zhěng yè wúfǎ ān shuì.He is often troubled by nightmares and can't sleep well all night.
- 梦魇，。Nà zhǒng yāyì de gǎnjué jiù xiàng mèng yǎn yíyàng, ràng rén huī zhī bú qù.That oppressive feeling is like a nightmare — it won't go away.
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