gaai2 mung6解夢解梦
Jyutpinggaai2 mung6
Yalegáai muhng
Definition
To interpret dreams; to explain the meaning of a dream.
colloquialotherpeople
How it's used
Interpreting dreams in Hong Kong often leans into folk beliefs or superstition rather than psychological analysis. People frequently seek out specific individuals, often called 師傅, who claim to have special insight into the symbolism of dream imagery. It is a niche activity that usually happens when someone has a recurring or particularly vivid dream that they find unsettling.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
find someone to interpret a dream
dream interpreter
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a casual conversation topic, but it is usually treated with a degree of seriousness or curiosity about one's fortune. Do not confuse it with simply telling someone about a dream, which is better expressed as 講夢.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
