A2 noun Formal 1 min read

口岸

kou'an /kʰoʊ˨˩˦ an˥˩/

Kou'an refers to any official, state-sanctioned entry or exit point for international movement.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Official gateway for international trade and travel.
  • Includes seaports, airports, and land border crossings.
  • Regulated by customs and immigration authorities.

Overview

  1. 1概述:‘口岸’(kǒu'àn)是一个法律和行政术语,指经国家批准设立,供人员、货物和交通工具出入国境的门户。它不仅限于海港,还包括航空港和陆路边境。2) 使用模式:通常与‘通关’、‘贸易’、‘检查’等词汇连用。在描述国际物流或跨国旅行时非常常见。3) 常见语境:主要出现在政府公告、国际贸易合同、新闻报道以及出入境指导手册中。4) 近义词辨析:‘港口’(Port)侧重于水路运输设施,而‘口岸’侧重于‘对外开放’和‘行政监管’的属性。例如,一个港口如果没有海关,它就不能被称为口岸。‘边境’(Border)是指两国交界的线或区域,而口岸是该区域内合法的通行点。

Examples

1

深圳有许多通往香港的陆路口岸。

everyday

There are many land ports in Shenzhen leading to Hong Kong.

2

政府决定扩大该口岸的货物处理能力。

formal

The government decided to expand the cargo handling capacity of the port.

3

我们在口岸排队等了两个小时才通关。

informal

We waited at the port for two hours before clearing customs.

4

口岸经济的发展对边境地区至关重要。

academic

The development of port economies is crucial for border regions.

Common Collocations

陆路口岸 Land port
通关口岸 Clearance port
口岸城市 Port city

Common Phrases

电子口岸

E-port

一类口岸

First-class port (national level)

Often Confused With

口岸 vs 港口

Gangkou focuses on the physical dock and water transport; Kou'an focuses on the legal status for international entry.

口岸 vs 海关

Haiguan is the government agency (Customs); Kou'an is the physical location where the agency operates.

Grammar Patterns

在...口岸 通过...口岸 开放...口岸

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The word is highly formal and used in official contexts. While common in news and business, in casual conversation people might just name the specific place (like 'the airport' or 'the border') unless referring to the administrative concept.


Common Mistakes

A common mistake is assuming 'Kou'an' only refers to water ports. Learners often forget that a major international airport like Beijing Capital Airport is also a 'Kou'an'.

Tips

💡

Broaden your scope of 'Port'

Remember that in Chinese, Kou'an is not just for water; it applies to any international checkpoint.

⚠️

Don't use it for local docks

Never use 'Kou'an' for a small local fishing pier; it must be an international gateway.

🌍

Historical Significance

The term 'Treaty Ports' (通商口岸) is central to learning about 19th-century Chinese history.

Word Origin

Derived from 'Kou' (opening/gate) and 'An' (bank/shore). Historically, it referred to the riverbanks or seashores where trade was conducted.

Cultural Context

In China, the development of 'Kou'an' is a major part of the 'Belt and Road Initiative', turning inland cities into international hubs.

Memory Tip

Think of 'Kou' (口) as a mouth or entrance, and 'An' (岸) as a shore or boundary. Together they form the 'Mouth of the Border'.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

不是。口岸包括海港(水运)、空港(机场)和陆路口岸(如铁路车站或公路边境站)。

口岸是地理位置或基础设施,而海关是驻扎在口岸负责监管货物和征税的政府机构。

会。在办理签证、出入境手续或查看边境开放状态时,经常会看到‘口岸’一词。

这通常是一个历史术语,指历史上根据条约开放给外国进行贸易的港口城市。

Test Yourself

fill blank

由于天气原因,这个陆路___暂时关闭了。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 口岸

‘口岸’指国家批准的边境通行点,符合句意。

multiple choice

关于口岸的描述,正确的是:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 口岸是国家指定的对外开放门户

口岸必须经过国家批准,且不限于沿海。

sentence building

口岸 / 货物 / 经过 / 必须 / 检查 / 所有

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 所有货物必须经过口岸检查

主语是所有货物,谓语是必须经过,宾语是口岸检查。

Score: /3

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