jat1 zam2 wong4 loeng4一枕黃粱一枕黄粱
Jyutpingjat1 zam2 wong4 loeng4
Yaleyāt jám wòhng lèuhng
Definition
A fond dream; a short-lived illusion of wealth and power.
colloquialother
How it's used
This idiom carries a sense of disillusionment, specifically referring to hopes or ambitions that vanish as quickly as they appeared. It is rooted in a classical tale about a scholar who dreams of a lifetime of glory while his millet porridge is cooking, only to wake up and find the porridge is still not ready. Use it to describe plans that are unrealistic or outcomes that are fleeting and illusory.
Examples
It was just a pipe dream, once I woke up everything was gone.
You think you'll get rich? That's just a pipe dream.
Related words
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
