过关

• Pinyin: guò guān
• Hanzi breakdown: 过 = 辶 + 咼 (to pass through); 关 = 关门 — a gate or critical juncture

Meaning

To pass a checkpoint or test; to clear a barrier; to meet the required standard.

Used both literally for passing a security checkpoint or border crossing and figuratively for passing an examination, clearing a skill hurdle, or meeting quality standards. Common in educational, professional, and colloquial contexts.

Examples

1. 这批零件的质量检测全部过关，可以正式投入生产了。 Every part in this batch passed quality inspection, so production can officially begin.
2. 他的汉语口语经过两年苦练终于过关，顺利通过了面试。 After two years of hard practice, his spoken Chinese finally met the standard, and he passed the interview smoothly.
3. 新员工必须参加岗前培训并考核过关，才能正式上岗。 New employees must complete pre-job training and pass the assessment before they can officially start work.

Usage Guide

Context: education, workplace, quality control

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你的技术水平已经过关，可以独立承担这个项目了。(Your technical level has cleared the bar — you can handle this project independently.)
• 所有参赛选手须先通过初赛过关，才能晋级决赛。(All contestants must clear the preliminary round before advancing to the final.)

Don't Say

• 他过关了考试 — use 通过了考试 or 考试过关了; 过关 follows the noun it clears, not precedes it as a verb phrase with 了

Origin & History

过 (to pass, to go through) + 关 (gate, checkpoint, barrier)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal