gaak3 mok2隔膜

Jyutpinggaak3 mok2

Yalegaak mók

Uncommon

Definition

Lack of mutual understanding, or an intangible mental barrier between people.

lack of mutual understanding or deep familiarity
figurativean intangible mental wall or barrier between people

neutralpeopleemotion

How it's used

Focuses on the emotional or social distance that prevents people from connecting deeply. It is often used to describe the awkwardness or lack of intimacy between family members or friends who have not seen each other for a long time. Unlike physical barriers, this term specifically highlights the invisible psychological gap that hinders open communication.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋loeng5兩fu6父zi2子zi1之gaan1間hou2好ci5似jau5有dou6道gaak3隔mok6膜gam3咁。

It feels like there is a wall between the father and son.

nei5你tung4同keoi5佢king1傾do1多di1啲gai3計，gaak3隔mok6膜zi6自jin4然wui2會siu1消sat1失㗎laa1喇。

If you talk to him more, the distance between you will naturally disappear.

Common phrases

siu1消ceoi4除gaak3隔mok6膜

to break down the barrier

cyun4存zoi6在gaak3隔mok6膜

to have a barrier between people

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the medical term for diaphragm, which is also written as 隔膜 in formal contexts. In everyday speech, the context usually makes it clear that you are referring to a social or emotional barrier rather than an anatomical structure.