Translation guide
A pipe dream is an unrealistic hope or fantasy that is unlikely to come true. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various words and phrases that emphasize impossibility, wishful thinking, or empty dreams.
Expressing that a plan, wish, or idea is impossible or highly unlikely to happen
Literally 'dream story', this is the closest equivalent to 'pipe dream'. It refers to an unrealistic, fanciful idea or plan.
そんな計画は夢物語だ。
That plan is a pipe dream.
Literally 'a rice cake drawn in a picture', this idiom means something that looks good but is useless or unattainable, like a pipe dream.
宝くじで一億円当てるなんて絵に描いた餅だ。
Winning 100 million yen in the lottery is just a pipe dream.
Literally 'a dream within a dream', this emphasizes that something is extremely unlikely or almost impossible.
世界一周旅行なんて夢のまた夢だ。
A trip around the world is just a pipe dream.
Means 'delusion' or 'fantasy'. Can be used for unrealistic ideas, but often has a negative connotation of being out of touch with reality.
Do not translate 'pipe dream' literally as パイプの夢. This would not be understood. Use the idiomatic expressions provided.
有名な俳優になるなんて夢物語だ。
Becoming a famous actor is just a pipe dream.
彼の理想社会の考えは絵に描いた餅だ。
His idea of a perfect society is a pipe dream.
Literally 'armchair theory', this refers to an impractical idea that works only in theory, similar to a pipe dream.
彼の提案は机上の空論に過ぎない。
His proposal is nothing but a pipe dream.
彼の成功計画はただの妄想だ。
His plan for success is just a pipe dream.