入门

• Pinyin: rù mén
• Hanzi breakdown: 入 = pictograph of entering; 门 = pictograph of a door/gate

Meaning

To enter; introductory; beginner level; to get started in a field.

Can function as a verb meaning to enter a door or field of study, or as an adjective/noun referring to introductory or beginner-level content. Very commonly used for describing basic courses, books, or guides for beginners in any subject.

Examples

1. 这本书是编程入门的经典教材，很多程序员都读过。 This book is a classic introductory textbook for programming — many programmers have read it.
2. 想学吉他，先买一把入门级的就行，以后再换好的。 If you want to learn guitar, just get an entry-level one first; you can upgrade later.
3. 他带我入门，教了我很多摄影的基础知识。 He got me started and taught me a lot of basic photography knowledge.

Usage Guide

Context: education, hobbies, professional development

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 有没有什么入门书籍推荐？(Are there any introductory books you'd recommend?)
• 他是带我入门的老师。(He's the teacher who got me started.)

Don't Say

• 我入门了那个房间 — 入门 for physical entry is literary; use 进入 instead for actually walking into a room

Origin & History

Compound of 入 (enter) + 门 (door/gate), literally 'entering the door,' metaphorically referring to getting started in a field.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal