A wooden crossbar bolting a gate shut.
To close, turn off, shut down; a guarded pass or checkpoint; to concern or involve. Two locks (丷) sit on a horizontal bar above a large person (天) blocking the gate.
关
Common Usage & Traps
- 关门 — close the door
- 关灯 — turn off the light
- 没关系 — it doesn't matter / it's okay
- 关心 — to care about
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关电视关电视 is fine, but for computers say 关电脑 or 关掉电脑English speakers say 'close the TV' meaning turn off. In Chinese 关 works for TVs and lights, but for computers 关掉 is more natural.
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关手机关手机 is understandable, but 关掉手机 or 把手机关了 is more naturalDirect translation 'close phone' sounds odd in English, but Chinese uses 关 for devices. Adding 掉 or 了 makes it more idiomatic.
What is the difference between 关 and 开?
关 means 'close/turn off', 开 means 'open/turn on' — they are opposites.
关 (guān) is used for closing or turning off things like doors, lights, and devices. 开 (kāi) is used for opening or turning on. They form a common antonym pair. Remember: 关门 (close door) vs 开门 (open door); 关灯 (turn off light) vs 开灯 (turn on light).
| Dimension | 关 (guān) | 开 (kāi) |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | close / turn off | open / turn on |
| Example | 关门 (close the door) | 开门 (open the door) |
| Example | 关灯 (turn off the light) | 开灯 (turn on the light) |
When do you use 没关系?
Use 没关系 to say 'it's okay' or 'it doesn't matter' after someone apologizes.
没关系 (méi guānxi) is a polite response to an apology (like 'sorry'). It literally means 'it has no relation' but functions as 'no problem'. It is very common in daily conversation. Do not use it after thanks; use 不客气 instead.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| After apology | A: 对不起! B: 没关系! | A: 对不起! B: 不客气! (wrong context) |
| After thanks | A: 谢谢你! B: 不客气! | A: 谢谢你! B: 没关系! (wrong context) |
Appears in Stories 5 stories
Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.
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可是，根据前几年的 有关 数据，中国方便面的年人平均消费量是三十五份，远不如日本，甚至还不到韩国的一半。
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近年来，中国 关于 方便面的各种说法几乎全部都是“方便面是一种不健康的食物，是垃圾食物”。
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误会四：方便面咸 关于 盐，说实话，方便面里面的盐并不多，含盐率仅为1.6%至2%。
Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.
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胡之适接到这封信，知道了他虽然只是一位卖饼干的，竟然能在业余勤奋自学；问的又是胡博士最 关心 的英美政治问题，更觉十分高兴，便立即亲自写了一封回信。
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““我还可以说，我们这个地方，有一个卖饼干的，每天在街上叫卖饼干，但他还愿意 关心 国家大事， 关心 英美的政治制度，希望国家能走上正确的道路──只这件奇事，已够使我乐观，使我高兴了。
This is a short dialogue about a shopping trip. A woman buys many things, including food, drinks, furniture, and pet food, while her boyfriend reminds her not to overspend.
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我说：“ 没关系 ！
Before you start learning Chinese, master the most important phrases: greetings. This short dialogue shows you how to say hello and goodbye, and how to respond politely.
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对不起对 没关系 ！
Everyday greetings are a gateway to natural Chinese. Practice time-based hellos like “早上好” and “晚安,” learn to address teachers with the respectful “您,” and see how families skip formalities to speak warmly at home.
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家人、朋友 关系 好，“谢谢”、“您”、“请”太客气，在家说话不客气，可以不说“您和请”。
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