Introduction
Understanding the difference between sonhar com and sonhar em is essential for learners of Brazilian Portuguese. Both translate roughly to dreaming, but they have different uses: one indicates dreaming about a person, object, or situation, and the other indicates dreaming of doing something or planning to achieve a goal. This article explains the grammar, examples, and subtle usage notes to help you use these expressions naturally.
- Overview: sonhar com vs sonhar em
- When to use sonhar com
- When to use sonhar em
- Comparing sonhar com and sonhar em side by side
- Verb conjugation and tense notes
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Politeness, register, and regional notes
- Practical tips for learners
- Examples: Natural sentences for practice
- Frequently asked questions
- Conclusion
Overview: sonhar com vs sonhar em
In Portuguese, the verb sonhar can connect to different prepositions to express different meanings. The two most common are sonhar com and sonhar em. Knowing which preposition to use depends on what comes after the verb: a noun or pronoun, or an infinitive verb phrase.
Summary:
• Use sonhar com + noun/pronoun to talk about dreams that feature people, objects, places, or scenarios.
• Use sonhar em + infinitive verb to talk about aspiring to do something, wishing or imagining a future action.
When to use sonhar com
Sonhar com is used when the object of your dream is a thing, person, place, or event. It describes what appears in your sleep or what occupies your imagination as an image or scenario.
Structure and grammar
Structure: sonhar com + noun/pronoun
The preposition com links the verb to the object appearing in the dream. The noun can be definite or indefinite, singular or plural, and can be accompanied by articles or adjectives.
Examples of dreaming about people, objects, and scenes
When the dream is about a person:
Eu sonhei com minha avó noite passada.
Ela sonhou com o namorado antigo.
When the dream is about a place or object:
Ontem eu sonhei com a casa da infância.
Ele sonhou com um carro vermelho.
When the dream is about a situation or event:
Nós sonhamos com a festa perfeita.
Eles sonharam com o carnaval no Rio.
Notes on pronouns and articles
You can use personal pronouns after sonhar com. For example: eu sonhei com ele or eu sonhei com ela. You may also include articles for specificity: sonhei com o professor vs sonhei com um professor. The choice affects nuance: o professor refers to a specific person known to speaker and listener, while um professor is more general.
When to use sonhar em
Sonhar em is used before an infinitive verb to express hopes, ambitions, desires, or plans—things you dream of doing, achieving, or becoming. It carries a sense of aspiration or intention more than a nocturnal image.
Structure and grammar
Structure: sonhar em + infinitive verb
Common infinitives used with sonhar em include viajar, morar, conseguir, ser, trabalhar, estudar, ganhar, entre outros.
Examples of dreaming of doing something
Eu sonho em viajar pelo mundo.
Ela sonha em ser médica.
Nosso amigo sonha em comprar uma casa.
Vocês sonham em abrir um negócio juntos?
Usage nuance: hope vs mere possibility
Sonhar em often implies desire and sometimes a long-term plan. It can be used with realistic goals or with imaginative wishes. Context and tone determine whether the dream is practical or fanciful.
Example of a realistic aspiration:
Ele sonha em terminar a faculdade no próximo ano.
Example of a more fanciful wish:
Eu sonho em viver em Marte um dia.
Comparing sonhar com and sonhar em side by side
To clearly see the difference, consider paired examples. Each pair uses the same noun or idea but changes meaning when switching prepositions.
Sonhar com família vs sonhar em visitar a família
Eu sonhei com minha família. (a picture or scenario in a dream)
Eu sonho em visitar minha família no Natal. (an intention or wish to do something)
Sonhar com casa vs sonhar em comprar uma casa
Ela sonhou com a casa que perdeu. (a memory or image in sleep)
Ela sonha em comprar uma casa nova. (an ambition to own a house)
Sonhar com show vs sonhar em tocar no show
Nós sonhamos com o show ontem à noite. (we saw the concert in a dream)
Nós sonhamos em tocar no show principal. (we hope to perform)
Verb conjugation and tense notes
The verb sonhar follows regular -ar conjugation patterns. Tense choice affects time reference but not the preposition rule.
Present: eu sonho, tu sonhas, ele sonha, nós sonhamos, vocês sonham, eles sonham
Past: eu sonhei (pretérito perfeito), eu sonhava (pretérito imperfeito)
Examples with tenses:
Eu sonhei com aquele lugar ontem. (past nocturnal dream)
Eu sonhava em viajar quando era jovem. (ongoing past desire)
Agora eu sonho em aprender outro idioma. (present aspiration)
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
English speakers often transfer patterns from English, using dream about both for people and actions. In Portuguese, be careful:
Wrong: Eu sonho com viajar pelo mundo.
Right: Eu sonho em viajar pelo mundo.
Wrong: Eu sonhei em minha mãe.
Right: Eu sonhei com minha mãe.
Tip: If the thing after sonhar is a verb in English, use sonhar em + infinitive in Portuguese. If it is a person, place, or object, use sonhar com.
Politeness, register, and regional notes
Both forms are standard in Brazilian Portuguese. Sonhar com for images and memories is universal. Sonhar em for ambitions is common in both spoken and written language. In informal speech, you might hear contractions or faster speech, but the grammar remains the same.
Regional variation is minor: Brazilians from different regions use the same constructions. In Portugal, speakers also use sonhar com and sonhar em with the same basic distinction, though collocations and idiomatic expressions can vary slightly.
Cultural notes
Dreaming imagery sometimes connects to Brazilian popular culture and beliefs. For example, dreams about saints or ancestors may be mentioned with sonhar com, reflecting cultural traditions. Aspirational dreams like sonhar em vencer or sonhar em vencer na vida are common in conversations about social mobility and personal goals.
Practical tips for learners
1. Practice pattern recognition: when the idea is a noun, use sonhar com; when the idea is an action, use sonhar em.
2. Memorize infinitive verbs commonly combined with sonhar em: viajar, morar, ser, conseguir, ganhar, estudar, trabalhar.
3. Pay attention to context: nocturnal dream vs aspiration. Ask yourself: did it happen while sleeping, or is it a desire?
4. Listen to native speakers: podcasts, songs, and conversations often show natural use. Note which preposition follows sonhar in each example.
5. Try making sentences about your own life: Eu sonhei com… for last night’s dream; Eu sonho em… for future goals.
Examples: Natural sentences for practice
Eu sonhei com um cachorro que falava ontem à noite.
Ela sonha em abrir uma escola de música na cidade.
Ontem nós sonhamos com uma praia deserta.
Meus amigos sonham em viajar de mochila pela América do Sul.
Quando era criança, eu sonhava com super-heróis.
Hoje eu sonho em aprender a tocar violão.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ever use sonhar com + infinitive?
Generally no. The pattern sonhar com is followed by nouns or pronouns. If you want to express an action or desire, use sonhar em + infinitive. However, you might find informal or poetic uses bending the rule, but for clear, standard Portuguese stick to the distinction.
What about the structure sonhar que + clause?
Another common structure is sonhar que + indicative or subjunctive clause, used to report the content of a dream as a full sentence. Example: Eu sonhei que ganhei na loteria. This focuses on the event experienced in the dream and is separate from the com/em distinction.
Conclusion
Distinguishing sonhar com from sonhar em is straightforward once you remember the key difference: sonhar com for people, objects, places, or images; sonhar em for actions, ambitions, and intentions. Pay attention to whether the next word is a noun or an infinitive verb, practice with real sentences, and listen to native speakers to internalize the patterns. With these tips, you will use both naturally in Brazilian Portuguese conversations.
