门

• Pinyin: mén
• Hanzi breakdown: 门 = simplified pictograph of a double door (traditional: 門)

Meaning

Door; gate; entrance. Also used as a measure word for academic subjects or courses.

One of the most basic nouns in Chinese. As a measure word, it counts courses or subjects, e.g. 一门课 (one course). Very common in everyday life and in compound words like 门口, 大门.

Examples

1. 请把门关上。 Please close the door.
2. 他站在门外面。 He is standing outside the door.
3. 我这学期选了三门课。 I chose three courses this semester.

Usage Guide

Context: home, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 有人在敲门。(Someone is knocking on the door.)
• 出门的时候记得带钥匙。(Remember to bring your key when you go out.)

Don't Say

• 我开了一个门。(Awkward — don't use 一个 as the measure word for 门 when talking about opening; just say 我开了门 or 我开了那扇门)

Origin & History

A simplified form of the traditional character 門, which is a pictograph depicting two door panels side by side.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal