閂門
saan1 mun4
To close the door in Cantonese is 閂門 (saan1 mun4).
The phrase 閂門 is used to describe moving a door into a position that blocks an entrance. You can add m̀h'gōi before the phrase to mean 'Please'.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 閂 (saan1) literally means to bolt, fasten or latch, while 門 (mun4) means door.
Which one should you use?
While 閂門 (saan1 mun4) implies latching or bolting a door shut, 埋門 (maai4 mun4) is often used more generally to mean shutting a door or a gap.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate the action of closing the door has been completed, add the aspect marker 咗 (zo2) between the verb and the object to form 閂咗門.
How do you pronounce it?
saan1 mun4
Did you know?
- While 閂門 means to close a door, the phrase 閂燈 is the standard way to say 'turn off the lights' in Cantonese.
- The verb 閂 was originally specific to the action of sliding a bolt across a door rather than swinging a hinge.
- The character 門 is a pictograph that originally depicted the two swinging leaves of a traditional gateway.
Examples in context
- 上床之前閂門。Close the door before going to bed.This sentence shows how to use 閂門 in the context of going to bed.Tatoeba #4826899 by kaenif, translation #931540 by CM
- 記得閂門。ge3 dai6 saan1 mun4.Remember to close the door.
Example conversation
Junkit and Siu Tung are in the living room.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit曉彤，你可唔可以幫我閂門？hiu2 tung4, nei5 ho2 m4 ho2 ji5 bong1 ngo5 saan1 mun4?Siu Tung, can you help me close the door?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung好呀，宜家就閂。hou2 aa3, ji1 gaa1 zau6 saan1.Okay, I'll close it now.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit唔該晒。m4 goi1 saai3.Thanks a lot.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung唔使客氣。m4 sai2 haak3 hei3.You're welcome.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
