关

關

guān

丷 + 天

HSK 2.0Level 3

HSK 3.0Level 3

Definitions

guān (verb) to close; to shut; to turn off

guān (verb) to concern; to involve

guān (noun) mountain pass; checkpoint

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 門 represents the meaning and 𢇇 represents the sound. The simplified character 关 was adapted from the cursive form of the traditional character 關. The traditional component 門 was removed for simplification.

About

关 originated as a cursive simplification of the traditional 關, a phono-semantic compound: 門 'door' conveys the meaning, while 𢇇 indicates the sound. Originally referring to a frontier pass or a bolted gate, its sense broadened to 'close' or 'shut' and then to abstract ideas like connections, relationships, or critical junctures. The simplified form eliminates the enclosing 門 and reduces the inner phonetic 𢇇 to the spare strokes of 关.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我很关心你。

Wǒ hěn guānxīn nǐ.

I care about you a lot.

请关掉电视。

Qǐng guān diào diànshì.

Please turn off the TV.

这件事跟我无关。

Zhè jiàn shì gēn wǒ wúguān.

This matter has nothing to do with me.

我们之间的关系很好。

Wǒmen zhījiān de guānxì hěn hǎo.

The relationship between us is very good.

关闭窗户以防下雨。

Guānbì chuānghu yǐ fáng xià yǔ.

Close the windows to prevent rain from coming in.

关心环境是每个人的责任。

Guānxīn huánjìng shì měi gè rén de zérèn.

Caring for the environment is everyone's responsibility.

关于这个问题，我们需要讨论。

Guānyú zhège wèntí, wǒmen xūyào tǎolùn.

Regarding this issue, we need to discuss.

关闭工厂导致了失业。

Guānbì gōngchǎng dǎozhìle shīyè.

Closing the factory led to unemployment.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 丷

Component: 天

关