出门

• Pinyin: chū mén
• Hanzi breakdown: 出 = to go out; 门 = simplified from 門, pictograph of a double door

Meaning

To go out; to leave home. Refers to going outside, typically leaving one's house.

A common everyday expression for going out of the house. Can refer to short outings or longer trips away from home. Often used in the context of daily routines and reminders.

Examples

1. 今天下雨，出门记得带伞。 It's raining today — remember to bring an umbrella when you go out.
2. 她每天早上八点出门上班。 She goes out for work at eight every morning.
3. 我不想出门，就在家休息吧。 I don't want to go out — let's just rest at home.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, routines

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 你出门了吗？(Have you gone out?)
• 出门的时候别忘了锁门。(Don't forget to lock the door when you go out.)

Don't Say

• 不要用出门来表示长途旅行 — 出门 usually means stepping out of the house for daily activities. For longer trips, use 出行 or 出远门.

Origin & History

Compound of 出 (to go out) and 门 (door, gate). Literally means to go out the door.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal