锁门

You use 锁门 when you want to describe the act of locking a door. It's a verb phrase. You can use it in simple sentences about daily routines. For example, 'I always 锁门 before bed.' Or, 'Did you remember to 锁门 when you left?' It fits into sentences describing actions related to leaving or securing a place. You can also use it as a command: 'Quick, 锁门!' It's straightforward and widely understood.

• After a long day, I just want to 锁门 and relax.
• The vlogger showed herself 锁门 before heading out to explore the city.
• My mom always reminds me, 'Don't forget to 锁门!'
• The hotel staff confirmed they had 锁门 for the night.
• He quickly 锁门 behind him as he entered the secure area.

Use 锁门 when you are talking about physically locking a door. This applies to your home, office, car, or any place with a lock. It's perfect for describing routine actions. Like getting ready to sleep. Or leaving your house for work. It’s also great for travel. When you check into a hotel room. Or leave your Airbnb. You use it when security is the main point. It's the go-to phrase for this specific action.

Don't use 锁门 for general 'closing' actions. You wouldn't say 'I 锁门 the window' if it just slides shut. Or 'Please 锁门 the curtains.' Those need different verbs. Also, avoid it if you mean 'to close off' metaphorically. Like 'He 锁门 his feelings.' That's not the physical act of locking. Stick to actual doors and locks for 锁门. Using it for other things sounds odd. Like putting a padlock on your diary – it's a bit much!

Learners sometimes mix up 锁门 with just 关门 (guān mén), which means 'to close the door.' 关门 is just shutting it. 锁门 means shutting *and* locking. Another mistake is using 开门 (kāi mén - to open the door) when they mean to unlock. It's like confusing 'unlocking a phone' with 'opening an app.'

✗ I forgot to 关门 my house when I left.

✓ I forgot to 锁门 my house when I left.

✗ Please 开门 the door when you get home.

✓ Please 锁门 the door when you get home.

• 关门 (guān mén): Simply to close the door. No locking involved. You 关门 when you enter a room. You 锁门 when you leave and want it secure.
• 上锁 (shàng suǒ): To put on a lock. This is more general. You can 上锁 a box or a bike. 锁门 specifically refers to a door.
• 锁窗 (suǒ chuāng): To lock a window. Similar action, different object. Windows don't usually get locked as often as doors.

• 把门锁了 (bǎ mén suǒ le): This is a very common way to say 'locked the door.' It uses the 把 structure, emphasizing the object (the door) being acted upon. It sounds very natural in conversation.
• 把门锁好 (bǎ mén suǒ hǎo): 'Lock the door properly/well.' Adding 好 (hǎo) suggests doing it carefully or completely.
• 锁好门 (suǒ hǎo mén): Another way to say 'lock the door well.' It's a slightly more concise version.

• Is 锁门 formal or informal?

It's pretty neutral. You can use it in most situations.

• Can I use 锁门 for my car?

Yes, absolutely! It works for car doors too.

• What's the difference between 关门 and 锁门?

关门 is just closing. 锁门 is closing and locking.

• Do I always need to say 门?

Usually, yes. 锁 alone might mean 'to lock' in general, but 锁门 is specific to doors.

• Is it common to 锁门 during the day?

Yes, especially if you live in a busy area or want extra security.