sonho

Sonho is a Portuguese noun with multiple related meanings. Primarily, it denotes the experience of images, sensations, and emotions that occur during sleep, i.e., a dream. It is also widely used metaphorically to refer to a desired goal or aspiration, as in “realizar o sonho” or “sonhos de futuro.” In addition, sonho is the name of a pastry in Portuguese-speaking countries, a fried dough sweet often filled and dusted with sugar.

Etymology and variations: the word derives from Latin somnium, through medieval Latin and early Portuguese forms. The sense related to sleep and to imagined events influenced many literary and cultural expressions in the Portuguese-speaking world. In daily language, phrases such as sonho lúcido (lucid dream) and sonho de consumo (a coveted item or lifelong dream purchase) are common.

Dream research and interpretation: in psychology, dreams are studied as phenomena occurring mainly during REM sleep, though they can appear in other stages. The content of dreams is thought to reflect memories, emotions, and experiences, with various theoretical approaches. Sigmund Freud emphasized wish-fulfillment and symbol interpretation, while Carl Jung highlighted archetypal motifs. Later theories include activation-synthesis, which attributes dreams to brain activity, and cognitive approaches that consider dreams as part of memory consolidation and problem solving. Modern neuroscience continues to examine neural mechanisms and the functions of dreaming, including the phenomenon of lucid dreaming.

Culinary use: as a pastry, sonho is a popular item in bakeries and confectionery in Portugal and Brazil, typically a light fried dough filled with pastry cream or sweet fillings and finished with sugar. It is distinct from, but sometimes confused with, similar fried desserts in regional cuisines.