關 / 关
guān
The English phrase "shut" can be translated into Chinese, with the default form being 關 / 关 (guān). Wiktionary also lists 閉 / 闭 (bì) and 關閉 / 关闭 (guānbì).
Meaning: (transitive) to close (verb)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 關 / 关 | guān |
| 閉 / 闭 | bì |
| 關閉 / 关闭 | guānbì |
In Chinese, the word for "shut" depends heavily on what is being closed. You use 關 / 关 for things like doors, windows and gates, as well as for turning off lights or electronic devices. For body parts or openings that naturally seal, such as eyes or mouths, you use 閉 / 闭. To make a polite request to shut something, you can add 请 before the verb.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the type of object being closed: use 關 / 关 for objects that swing or slide like doors and windows, and use 閉 / 闭 for body parts or openings that contract or seal, such as eyes or a mouth. 關閉 / 关闭 is used when you want to express a more complete or formal shutting down, such as a business or a system.
How do you pronounce it?
guān
Did you know?
- The character 關 was originally a visual representation of a door being secured by two wooden sticks used as a latch.
Examples in context
- 请关闭门Please shut the door
- 闭上嘴Shut your mouth
- 關門 / 关门Close the door
- 閉嘴 / 闭嘴Shut up
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shut” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 閉, 關, CC BY-SA 4.0.
