闭

• Pinyin: bì
• Hanzi breakdown: 闭 = 门 (door) + 才

Meaning

To close; to shut. The action of closing something or the state of being closed.

Used for closing eyes (闭眼), doors (闭门), meetings (闭幕), and businesses (闭店). Also appears in compounds like 关闭 (to close/shut down) and 封闭 (to seal off).

Examples

1. 请闭上眼睛，深呼吸，放松一下。 Please close your eyes, take a deep breath, and relax.
2. 他闭门谢客，专心写作了整整一年。 He closed his door to visitors and focused on writing for a whole year.
3. 这家老店上个月正式闭店了，很多人感到惋惜。 This old shop officially closed last month, and many people feel it's a pity.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, formal

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请把门闭上。(Please close the door.)
• 展览会今天闭幕了。(The exhibition closed today.)

Don't Say

• 不要说'闭开' (Don't say 闭开 — to open is 打开 or 开, not the opposite of 闭)

Origin & History

Composed of 门 (door) and 才, originally depicting a door being closed.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal