门锁
ménsuǒ
The English phrase "door lock" is translated into Mandarin as 门锁 (ménsuǒ).
门锁 refers to a mechanism used to keep a door closed and secure. In many contexts, you can simply use the single character 锁 to refer to a lock.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 门 (mén), meaning 'door' and 锁 (suǒ), meaning 'lock'.
How do you pronounce it?
ménsuǒ
Did you know?
- The word 锁 is used in the term 锁骨, which means 'collarbone', literally translating to 'lock bone' because of its shape and position.
- In Chinese culture, giving a 锁 as a gift, especially a small ornate one, can symbolize a wish for a long and secure marriage or a desire to 'lock' a child's soul into the world for safety.
- The character 门 is one of the simplest examples of a 'pictograph' in Chinese. Originally, the character was a drawing of a two-leafed door, which is why it looks so much like an open gateway.
Examples in context
- 别忘了锁门！Don't forget to lock the door!
- 给我看一下门锁。Show me the door lock, please.
- 这个门锁坏了。Zhège ménsuǒ huàile.This door lock is broken.
- 我们需要换个新门锁。Wǒmen xūyào huàn gè xīn ménsuǒ.We need to change to a new door lock.
- 门锁锁好了吗？Ménsuǒ suǒ hǎo le ma?Is the door lock secured?
Example conversation
Xinyi and Wei are arriving at their new apartment.
- 欣怡 Xinyi伟，你觉得这个门锁安全吗？Wěi, nǐ juédé zhège ménsuǒ ānquán ma?Wei, do you think this door lock is secure?
- 伟 Wei看起来挺新的，应该没问题。Kàn qǐlái tǐng xīn de, yīnggāi méi wèntí.It looks quite new, it should be fine.
- 欣怡 Xinyi我还是想换个新门锁。Wǒ háishì xiǎng huàn gè xīn ménsuǒ.I still want to change it for a new door lock.
- 伟 Wei好的，明天我们一起去买。Hǎo de, míngtiān wǒmen yīqǐ qù mǎi.Okay, let's go buy one together tomorrow.
