der  Traum

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/tʁaʊ̯m/

😴 What does "der Traum" mean?

The noun der Traum (masculine) primarily has two meanings in German:

• Experience during sleep: A sequence of images, thoughts, or feelings experienced during sleep. Example: Ich hatte letzte Nacht einen seltsamen Traum. (I had a strange dream last night.)
• Aspiration / Ideal: A strong wish, goal, or ideal cherished while awake. Example: Sein größter Traum ist es, die Welt zu bereisen. (His biggest dream is to travel the world.)

⚠️ There are no common mistakes regarding the article, as "Traum" is almost exclusively used as der Traum.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar of "der Traum" in Detail

"Traum" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables (how the word changes depending on its function in the sentence):

📝 Example Sentences

1. Nominative Singular: Der Traum war sehr lebhaft. (The dream was very vivid.)
2. Genitive Singular: Die Deutung des Traumes ist schwierig. (The interpretation of the dream is difficult.)
3. Dative Singular: Er hängt dem Traum von Reichtum nach. (He clings to the dream of wealth.)
4. Accusative Singular: Sie erzählte mir den Traum. (She told me the dream.)
5. Nominative Plural: Manche Träume wiederholen sich. (Some dreams repeat themselves.)
6. Dative Plural: In seinen Träumen war er ein Held. (In his dreams, he was a hero.)

💡 How to use "der Traum"?

"Der Traum" is frequently used in these contexts:

• During sleep: When talking about nightly experiences. Often used with verbs like haben (to have a dream), träumen (to dream something), erzählen (to tell a dream).
• Wishes & Goals: To express strong desires or life goals. Often in phrases like "ein Traum wird wahr" (a dream comes true), "der Traum vom Fliegen" (the dream of flying), "mein Lebenstraum" (my lifelong dream).
• Describing something ideal: To call something perfect or beautiful (often metaphorically). Example: Dieses Haus ist ein Traum! (This house is a dream!)

Confusion is rare, as the meaning is usually clear from the context. An "Albtraum" (or "Alptraum") is specifically a bad dream or nightmare.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Traum"

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'DERring-do' – adventurers often follow DER Traum (their dream).

Meaning Mnemonic: A Traum can seem like a trauma if it's a nightmare, or it can be a treasure (like a wish/goal). Or imagine a secret room (Raum in German sounds similar) in your mind where dreams (Träume) happen.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar words: The verb "träumen" (to dream) is directly related.

😄 A Little Dream Joke

German: Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, was möchtest du später mal werden?" Fritzchen: "Wach!" Lehrer: "Wieso das denn?" Fritzchen: "Weil meine Mutter immer sagt, ich soll endlich aus meinen Träumen erwachen!"

English: The teacher asks: "Fritzchen, what do you want to be when you grow up?" Fritzchen: "Awake!" Teacher: "Why that?" Fritzchen: "Because my mother always tells me I should finally wake up from my dreams!"

📜 A Poem about Dreams

Der Traum, ein leises Flüstern nur,
Nachts auf geheimer, dunkler Spur.
Mal bunt, mal grau, mal Schreckensbild,
Ein Wunsch, der tief im Herzen schwillt.

Am Tag ein Ziel, so klar und rein,
Ein Traum soll Wirklichkeit bald sein.
So webt er Fäden, zart und licht,
Im Schlaf und auch im Tageslicht.

English Translation:

The Dream, just a soft whisper now,
At night on secret, dark paths somehow.
Sometimes colorful, sometimes gray, sometimes a fright,
A wish that swells deep in the heart's light.

By day a goal, so clear and pure,
A dream shall soon be reality, sure.
So it weaves threads, tender and bright,
In sleep and also in daylight.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich komme, wenn du schläfst,
Bin mal schön, mal dass du weinst.
Ich kann auch ein großes Ziel bedeuten,
Das dich leitet durch die Zeiten.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:

I come when you are sleeping,
Sometimes lovely, sometimes have you weeping.
I can also mean a goal so grand,
That guides you through time across the land.

What am I?

Solution: Der Traum (the dream)

🧩 Other Info about "der Traum"

Word Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen): "Traum" forms part of many compound words that modify or specify its meaning:

• Albtraum/Alptraum: A nightmare.
• Tagtraum: A daydream.
• Traumhaus: A dream house.
• Traumjob: A dream job.
• Traumdeutung: Dream interpretation.

Etymology: The word "Traum" derives from the Old High German "troum", which originally likely meant "illusion" or "phantasm".