關 (guān) - To close, shut & a mountain pass

關Tone 1

guān ｜ 19 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

關 · guān

To close, shut;

a mountain pass;

a critical juncture;

to turn off;

to involve;

to concern;

a surname.

To close, shuta mountain passa critical juncture

Usage highlights

Close the doorCritical pointRelationshipCustomsConcernPass

Synonyms

  • 闭— to close, shut
  • 合— to close, join
  • 系— to relate, connect

Antonyms

  • 开— to open
  • 放— to release, let go

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Please close the door (关门).
  • This is a critical juncture (关键).
  • It doesn't concern you (不关你的事).
  • Remember to turn off the lights (关灯).

Collocations

  • Close the door(关门)
  • Critical point(关键)
  • Relationship(关系)
  • Customs(海关)
  • Concern(关心)
  • Pass(关口)

Idioms

  • A matter of vital importance(性命交关)
  • Bearing on one's vital interests(息息相关)
  • To be closely linked(息息相关)
  • To have nothing to do with(漠不相关)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically referred to strategic mountain passes along frontiers and trade routes, like the 'Jade Gate Pass' (玉门关).
  • In Daoist and Buddhist contexts, 'pass' can symbolize a spiritual barrier or stage of cultivation.
  • The character is a common surname, notably associated with Guan Yu, a deified general from the Three Kingdoms period.

FAQ