भयानक सपना

You usually use it with the verb dekhna (to see). In Hindi, you don't 'have' a dream; you 'see' a dream. So you would say, "I saw a terrible dream." It functions as a noun phrase. You can use it to explain why you look tired. It also works as a metaphor for a bad real-life situation.

Use it when you wake up after a bad night. It is perfect for telling a friend why you are grumpy. You can use it in a doctor's office too. If a project at work goes wrong, you might call it a bhayanak sapna. It fits perfectly in casual chats over tea. It also works in emotional heart-to-heart talks.

Don't use it for minor inconveniences. If you just lost your pen, it's not a bhayanak sapna. That would be too dramatic. Avoid using it in very stiff, legal documents. There, more formal words for 'incident' are preferred. Also, don't use it to describe a person you dislike. That would sound a bit strange and confusing.

In Indian culture, dreams are often discussed at the breakfast table. Some people believe dreams have hidden meanings. If you have a bhayanak sapna, an elder might tell you to pray. Or they might tell you to drink some water. There is a superstition that telling a bad dream out loud makes it lose its power. So, sharing your bhayanak sapna is actually a way to feel better!

You might hear darauna sapna which means 'scary dream'. Bura sapna (bad dream) is a milder version. If it's a recurring nightmare, people might just say duhsapna. However, bhayanak sapna remains the most impactful way to describe a truly chilling night. It carries a bit more 'oomph' than just saying a dream was 'bad'.