初夢

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 初夢 (reading はつゆめ) is a noun for the first dream of the New Year and is tied to Japanese New Year custom.
• Basic usage: It is used when family members discuss that dream or treat its contents as an omen for the year.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• New Year requirement
  • 初夢 is not one’s first-ever dream or simply the first dream remembered; the New Year setting is essential.
• Dreaming and discussing
  • 初夢を見る means having the dream, while 初夢について話す makes an already experienced dream the topic.