海关
The English phrase "customs" translates to Mandarin as 海关.
海关 refers to the government agency responsible for regulating the import and export of goods at ports or borders. To express the action of going through customs, use the verb-object construction 过海关. If you want to refer specifically to the people working in customs, you can add 人员 to the end of the word to form 海关人员.
Meaning: customs checks at a border checkpoint (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 海关 is composed of 海 (sea/ocean) and 关 (gate/pass/checkpoint).
Did you know?
- The phrase 过关 can mean 'passing through customs' or 'passing a test' and 'overcoming a hurdle' in a competitive game or exam.
- China's customs system is historically tied to the Imperial Maritime Customs Service, which was uniquely managed by foreigners for nearly a century.
- While 海关 means 'customs' today, the word 关 originally referred to the strategic mountain passes of the Great Wall that controlled movement into China.
Examples in context
- 我们需要通过海关才能进入中国。We need to go through customs to enter China.
- 我在机场的海关遇到了一些麻烦。I encountered some trouble at the airport customs.
- 他在关卡处被要求提供护照。He was asked to provide his passport at the checkpoint.
- 他在海关排队。Tā zài hǎiguān páiduì.He is queuing at customs.
- 海关检查非常严格。Hǎiguān jiǎnchá fēicháng yángé.The customs inspection is very strict.
- 请出示您的海关申报单。Qǐng chūshì nín de hǎiguān shēnbàodān.Please present your customs declaration form.
Example conversation
Two friends are arriving at the airport.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen志强，我们要去海关了。Zhìqiáng, wǒmen yào qù hǎiguān le.Zhiqiang, we need to go to customs.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我现在得申报这些礼物。Wǒ xiànzài děi shēnbào zhèxiē lǐwù.I have to declare these gifts now.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen这里的海关排队的人很多。Zhèlǐ de hǎiguān páiduì de rén hěnduō.The customs line here is very long.
- 志强 Zhiqiang没关系，我们可以慢慢走。Méiguānxì, wǒmen kěyǐ mànman zǒu.It's okay, we can take our time.
