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白日夢

백일몽 白日夢

A dream dreamed in broad daylight; an impractical fantasy or a wishful thought that has no possibility of coming true.

Chinese Idiom 3-character idiom Learn with Music
Quick Answer

백일몽 (白日夢) means "A dream dreamed in broad daylight; an impractical fantasy or a wishful thought that has no possibility of coming true.". The characters for Baek-il-mong consist of White (白), Day (日), and Dream (夢). Historically, this con

1 Meaning

백일몽 (白日夢) means “A dream dreamed in broad daylight; an impractical fantasy or a wishful thought that has no possibility of coming true.”.

Daydream (白日夢) refers to an impossible fantasy or a hope that lacks any feasibility, literally meaning a 'dream dreamed in the middle of the day.' It describes a state where intense longing causes one to blur the lines between reality and illusion, or to envision a desperate desire even while wide awake.

2 Examples

1

An office worker sitting blankly at their desk imagining a life of luxury after winning the lottery.

Spends the workday planning which buildings to buy and how to quit their job based on a ticket that hasn't won.

2

A student who daily envisions a romantic future and dates with a secret crush.

Remains lost in an imaginary relationship without ever gathering the courage to strike up a real conversation.

3

An aspiring artist who dreams of being cheered on a global stage without ever practicing their craft.

Focuses on scripting award acceptance speeches instead of putting in the hours to build fundamental skills.

Which situation fits this idiom?

Pick the everyday scene where “백일몽” fits best.

3 Origin

The characters for Baek-il-mong consist of White (白), Day (日), and Dream (夢). Historically, this concept appeared in philosophical texts like Zhuangzi to metaphorically describe the transience of life—suggesting that human existence itself is like a fleeting dream. In a modern context, it is widely used to describe being preoccupied with the impossible or escaping into a delusional reality. This idiom captures the poignant psychological state of yearning for someone or something unattainable, choosing to dwell in a bright, daytime illusion rather than facing a cold reality. It highlights the paradoxical human desire to remain in a state of ecstasy, even when knowing the vision will vanish upon waking.

4 Key Lessons

1

While fantasies that mask the pain of reality can be sweet, we must eventually recognize that our lives are rooted in the physical world.

2

Even seemingly impossible dreams can serve as powerful life drivers or sources of profound artistic inspiration.

3

The intensity of a daydream often serves as a compass, revealing exactly what is lacking or missing in our current lives.

5 English Expression

English Vocabulary

Daylight dream

백일몽, 헛된 공상

"He was lost in a daylight dream about winning the lottery."

Blinding

눈이 부신, 눈을 뜰 수 없는

"The snow reflected a blinding light in the afternoon sun."

Fragile

연약한, 부서지기 쉬운

"Handle with care, the glass ornaments are very fragile."

Fade

서서히 사라지다, 바래다

"Memories of the trip began to fade over the years."

6 Learn with Music

백일몽 track image

백일몽 Track

Daylight Dream (白日夢)

손에 잡히지 않지만 끝내 놓을 수 없는 빛의 환상

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