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German Phrase

Mein Traum ist es, mal ein Buch zu schreiben.

/maɪn traʊm ɪst ɛs mal aɪn buːx tsuː ˈʃraɪbn̩/
Meaning"My dream is it, sometime a book to write."
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Meaning

This phrase means 'My dream is to write a book someday.' It expresses a personal aspiration or long-term goal. The word 'mal' adds a nuance of 'sometime,' 'one day,' or 'at some point,' indicating that it's not necessarily an immediate plan but a future desire.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you want to express a personal long-term aspiration or a dream you hope to fulfill in the future. It's suitable for informal and semi-formal conversations about personal goals, hobbies, or life plans. You can use it when discussing what you'd like to achieve 'one day.'

✦Grammar Breakdown

Mein Traumist es,malein Buchzu schreiben

1

Mein Traum

'Mein Traum' means 'my dream.' 'Mein' is the possessive pronoun for 'my' and agrees with the masculine noun 'Traum' (dream).

2

ist es

'Ist es' (it is) acts as a placeholder here. When an infinitive clause ('ein Buch zu schreiben') functions as the subject complement, 'es' is often used to refer back to it, making the sentence flow more naturally.

3

mal

In this context, 'mal' means 'someday,' 'at some point,' or 'one day.' It softens the statement and indicates a future, non-specific time. It's a very common and versatile particle in German.

4

ein Buch zu schreiben

This is an infinitive clause with 'zu'. 'Zu' is used before the infinitive ('schreiben' - to write) when the infinitive clause acts as a complement to a verb or noun, often expressing purpose or intention. The verb 'schreiben' is at the end of the clause.

🗨In Conversation

A

Was sind deine Pläne für die Zukunft?

What are your plans for the future?

Mein Traum ist es, mal ein Buch zu schreiben.

My dream is to write a book someday.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Mein Traum ist, ein Buch zu schreiben.

    While understandable, omitting 'es' after 'ist' is grammatically less common and sounds less natural when introducing an infinitive clause as the subject complement. 'Ist es' acts as a placeholder.

  • Mein Traum ist es, ein Buch zu schreiben irgendwann.

    While 'irgendwann' also means 'sometime,' 'mal' is more idiomatic and natural in this specific construction to convey 'one day' or 'at some point' in German.

  • Ich träume, ein Buch zu schreiben.

    This translates to 'I dream to write a book,' which is grammatically correct but less emphatic about it being 'my dream' as a defined goal. 'Mein Traum ist es...' is a stronger statement of aspiration.

↔Alternatives

  • Ich möchte mal ein Buch schreiben.

    I would like to write a book someday.

  • Es wäre toll, wenn ich mal ein Buch schreiben könnte.

    It would be great if I could write a book someday.

  • Ein Buch zu schreiben ist mein großer Wunsch.

    To write a book is my big wish.

de

Cultural Tip

Germans often express personal aspirations directly, and 'Mein Traum ist es...' is a common and accepted way to share such goals. While 'mal' can sometimes imply 'just once' or 'for a moment,' in this context, it softens the statement and implies 'someday' or 'at some point in the future,' making the dream sound more achievable and less like an immediate pressure. It's a polite way to express a long-term desire without sounding overly demanding or unrealistic.