This is the 4957th most frequent German word.
alp
A nightmare or an oppressive dream.
Here, 'Alpen' refers to the mountain range naturally named 'Alps'.
Die Alpen sind ein beeindruckendes Gebirge in Europa.
The Alps are an impressive mountain range in Europe.
In this sentence, 'Alptraum' signifies 'nightmare,' leveraging 'Alp' metaphorically connected to distress or discomfort.
Nach der langen Wanderung fühlte ich mich wie nach einem Alptraum.
After the long hike, I felt as if after a nightmare.
Here, 'Alp' represents a specific term used for alpine grazing meadows or pastures in certain dialects.