Meaning
开门 is a common verb-object compound combining 开 (to open) and 门 (door). It literally means 'to open a door' but also has extended meanings including opening for business or answering when someone knocks. This is one of the most basic action phrases in Mandarin, used daily in both literal and figurative contexts.
Usage
Native speakers use 开门 in everyday situations when physically opening doors, but also idiomatically for stores opening for business (商店开门了). The opposite action is 关门 (to close the door). It can be a polite request (请开门) or a statement of fact. In business contexts, 开门 often refers to the start of business hours.
Examples
- 01请帮我开门，我手里拿着东西。, .Please open the door for me, my hands are full.
- 02这家餐厅早上九点开门。.This restaurant opens at 9 AM.
Characters
Common collocations
- 开门见山to get straight to the point (idiom)
- 开门营业to open for business
- 把门开开open the door (using 把 construction)
- 开门时间opening hours
Antonyms
Origin
This is a straightforward verb-object construction with no special etymology. The combination of 开 and 门 creates a natural compound that has been used for centuries in Chinese.