梦寐以求

夢寐以求

mèngmèiyǐqiú

idiom #8,214

Meanings

1 to dream of; to long for
2 something one has always dreamed of

Characters

in order to; so as to

求

qiú

to seek; to request

Even in dreams and sleep one seeks it - something longed for so deeply it fills one's dreams.

Examples

HSK 2

这次机会是我梦寐以求的。

Zhècì jīhuì shì wǒ mèngmèiyǐqiú de.

This opportunity is what I've been dreaming of.

HSK 3

他终于得到了梦寐以求的工作。

Tā zhōngyú dédào le mèngmèiyǐqiú de gōngzuò.

He finally got the job he had always dreamed of.

HSK 3

出国留学是她梦寐以求的事。

Chūguó liúxué shì tā mèngmèiyǐqiú de shì.

Studying abroad is something she has always longed for.

Tips

usage

梦寐以求 is used as an attributive before a noun (梦寐以求的 + noun) or as a predicate. It expresses deep, long-held desire, stronger than simply 想要.

history

From the Book of Songs (诗经): '窈窕淑女，寤寐求之' - describing a man who longs for a virtuous woman day and night.

Stroke Order

梦 mèng

寐 mèi

以 yǐ

求 qiú