Basic Meaning
v
The most basic and common meaning. Can also be metaphorical, e.g., '关闭心门'.
to close (a door, window, etc.)
使开着的物体合拢。
Words:
关门关窗关闭
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
启开
Sentences:
- 出门前请关好门。Please close the door properly before going out.
- 太冷了,快关窗。It's too cold, close the window quickly.
v
Used for any device or electrical appliance. Antonym: 开. For example: '关电脑'.
to turn off; to shut down (a machine, device, etc.)
使机器等停止运转;使电气装置结束工作状态。
Words:
Sentences:
- 睡觉前别忘了关灯。Don't forget to turn off the light before sleeping.
- 请把手机关机。Please turn off your phone.
v
Often implies confinement against one's will, e.g., '关禁闭', '关押'.
to lock up; to imprison; to confine
禁闭;放在里面不让出来。
Words:
关押关禁闭关监狱
Sentences:
- 那个坏人被关押起来了。That bad guy has been locked up.
v
Used for shops, companies, etc., ceasing operations. '关张' is a more traditional term.
(of a business) to shut down; to close
(企业等)倒闭;歇业。
Words:
关门关张
Synonyms:
Sentences:
- 街角那家小店关门了。The small shop on the street corner has shut down.
- 生意不好,那家饭馆只好关张。Business is poor, so that restaurant had to close down.
n
Refers to strategic passes, often from history or geography, like '山海关'.
mountain pass; fortress pass (historical)
古代在险要地方或国界设立的守卫处所。
Words:
关口关塞关防关隘山海关
Sentences:
- 山海关是长城的一个重要关口。Shanhai Pass is an important pass along the Great Wall.
- 古代军队把守着险要的关塞。Ancient troops guarded the strategic mountain passes.
n
Found in place names like '城关', '北关'. Distinguish from 关口.
area near or outside a city gate
城门外附近的地区。
Words:
关内关外城关北关
Sentences:
- 我家以前住在城关。My family used to live in the area near the city gate.
n
Found in place names, e.g., an area where a customs house was located. The modern term is '海关'.
customs office (for taxing imports/exports)
征收出口、入口货税的机构。
Words:
城关南关北关海关
Sentences:
- 海关是负责解释征收出口、入口货税等诸多事务的重要机构。Customs is an important agency responsible for interpreting and collecting taxes on exports, imports, and many other matters.
v
Often used in fixed compounds. 关 itself isn't used alone as a verb for this meaning.
to be a difficult juncture or barrier (often combined with other characters)
重要的转折点,不易度过的一段时间。
Words:
难关闯关过关紧要关头
Sentences:
- 我们现在遇到了一个大难关。We are now facing a major difficulty.
- 考试是一个必须过的关。The exam is a hurdle that must be passed.
v
Almost never used alone; always part of a word or phrase like 关于, 有关, 相关.
to concern; to relate to; to involve
牵连;关系。
Words:
Sentences:
- 这件事和我无关。This matter has nothing to do with me.
- 这两个问题密切相关。These two issues are closely related.
v
Part of words meaning 'pivot' or 'crucial point', like 关键, 机关, 关节.
to be a pivotal part or juncture
起转折关联作用的部分。
Words:
关键机关难关关节紧要关头
Sentences:
- 找到问题的关键是第一步。Finding the key to the problem is the first step.
- 在这个紧要关头,我们必须冷静。At this critical juncture, we must stay calm.
Writing & Component
Radical丷
Structuretop_bottom
Stroke Count6
Strokes丶丿一一丿㇏
