gwo3 mun4過門过门
Jyutpinggwo3 mun4
Yalegwo mùhn
Definition
To move into one's husband's home upon marriage.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
This term is rooted in traditional Chinese wedding customs where a bride formally enters the groom's family home. It carries a formal and slightly old-fashioned tone, often used by the older generation or when discussing traditional marriage rites. In modern urban settings, it is less common to use this phrase literally unless referring to the specific ritualistic aspect of the wedding day.
Examples
After she moved into her husband's home, she adapted to her new life very quickly.
When are you moving into your husband's home? Remember to invite me to the wedding banquet.
Related words
Common phrases
a newlywed daughter-in-law who has just joined the family
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the common phrase 過門不入, which refers to passing by a place without entering. Also, avoid using it to describe simply moving house, as it specifically implies the transition of a bride into her husband's family unit.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
