梦寐以求

夢寐以求

mèngmèiyǐqiú

idiom #8,214

Meanings

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

梦 mèng

寐 mèi

以 yǐ

求 qiú