German Conversation · Level 117
45 words
German word
Alb
Pronunciation
IPA/alp/
Meaning
- masculine nounnightmare
Example
Am Morgen erinnerte er sich an einen schlimmen Alb.
In the morning, he remembered a terrible nightmare.
More examples
Sie erzählte beim Frühstück von einem Alb, der sie seit der Kindheit verfolgt.
At breakfast, she talked about a nightmare that has haunted her since childhood.
Core concept
A night of trapped fear in a dream, with the unease still present when sleep ends.
Common phrases
von einem Alb erzählen
talk about a nightmare
Similar words
Albtraum: A frightening nightmare that remains vivid after waking.
Traum: A dream involving images or events during sleep, not necessarily frightening.
Definition in German
Alb bezeichnet einen besonders beängstigenden Traum, der den Schlaf stört und oft noch lange Angstgefühle hinterlässt.
Word origin
German Alb developed from Old High German alb through Middle High German alp, originally naming a supernatural tormentor associated with oppressive dreams.
Usage tips
- Alb is less common and more literary than Albtraum, while ein schlimmer Traum is a neutral descriptive alternative.