====== guānshàng: 关上 - To Close, To Shut ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** guanshang, 关上, guan shang, to close in Chinese, to shut in Chinese, Chinese resultative verb, 关上 grammar, close the door in Chinese, 关 vs 关上, HSK 2 vocabulary.
  * **Summary:** Learn how to use "关上" (guānshàng), a fundamental Chinese verb meaning "to close" or "to shut." This page breaks down the characters 关 and 上, explaining how they form a resultative verb that emphasizes the completed action of closing something, like a door, window, or book. Discover practical examples, cultural nuances, and common mistakes to master this essential HSK 2 word.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** guānshàng
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb (Resultative Verb Compound)
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 2
  * **Concise Definition:** To close something so that it is shut.
  * **In a Nutshell:** `关上` (guānshàng) is more than just "to close"; it means "to close *shut*." The character `关` (guān) provides the action of closing, while `上` (shàng) is a "result complement" that confirms the action was successfully completed. Think of it as the difference between the *process* of closing a door and the final *result* of the door being firmly shut.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **关 (guān):** The primary meaning of this character is "to close," "to shut," or "a gate." You can picture the character as a gate `门` with a bar `一` across it, securing it.
  * **上 (shàng):** While its most common meaning is "up" or "on," here it functions as a resultative complement. In this context, it signifies that the two parts of something have come together (like two sides of a door meeting the frame, or the covers of a book coming together), completing the action.
  * Together, `关` (action: to close) + `上` (result: shut/together) create the specific meaning of successfully closing an object.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
While `关上` is a very practical, everyday word, the act of closing things, especially doors, has subtle social implications in China.
In many homes or traditional office environments, an open door can signal a welcoming atmosphere, an invitation to talk, or a way to improve air circulation. Closing a door, or using `关上门` (guānshàng mén), can be a very clear signal that you desire privacy, do not wish to be disturbed, or are having a private conversation.
Compared to Western culture, where a closed door is often the default for offices or bedrooms, the choice to actively `关上` a door in China can sometimes carry a slightly stronger message of separation. Of course, this is highly contextual. In cold weather, asking someone to `关上窗户` (guānshàng chuānghu) is simply a practical request for comfort, not a social statement.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
`关上` is used constantly in daily conversation. It's the standard, neutral way to talk about closing physical objects that can be shut.
  * **In the Home:** You'll use it to ask family members to close doors, windows, and drawers.
  * **At Work/School:** It's used for closing books, laptops, and meeting room doors.
  * **Formality:** The term itself is neutral. Politeness is added with words like `请` (qǐng - please) or a softer tone of voice. For example, `请关上门` (Qǐng guānshàng mén) is a polite request. A direct `关上门!` (Guānshàng mén!) is a command.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 外面太冷了，请把窗户**关上**。
    * Pinyin: Wàimiàn tài lěng le, qǐng bǎ chuānghu **guānshàng**.
    * English: It's too cold outside, please close the window.
    * Analysis: A very common and polite request using the `把 (bǎ)` structure to emphasize the action's effect on the object (the window).
  * **Example 2:**
    * 他走的时候没有**关上**门。
    * Pinyin: Tā zǒu de shíhòu méiyǒu **guānshàng** mén.
    * English: He didn't close the door when he left.
    * Analysis: This highlights a past action that was //not// completed. The door was left open.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 你可以帮我**关上**电脑吗？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ **guānshàng** diànnǎo ma?
    * English: Can you help me shut down the computer?
    * Analysis: Note that for electronics, `关 (guān)` is often sufficient (e.g., `关电脑`), but `关上` can be used, especially for laptops, emphasizing the physical act of closing the lid.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 上课了，请大家把书**关上**。
    * Pinyin: Shàngkè le, qǐng dàjiā bǎ shū **guānshàng**.
    * English: Class is starting, everyone please close your books.
    * Analysis: A typical instruction from a teacher. `合上 (héshàng)` is also very common for books.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 我听见他轻轻地把门**关上**了。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ tīngjiàn tā qīngqīng de bǎ mén **guānshàng** le.
    * English: I heard him gently close the door.
    * Analysis: Shows `关上` can be modified by adverbs like `轻轻地` (qīngqīng de - gently). The `了 (le)` indicates the action is complete.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 睡觉前，别忘了**关上**所有的灯。
    * Pinyin: Shuìjiào qián, bié wàngle **guānshàng** suǒyǒu de dēng.
    * English: Before you go to sleep, don't forget to turn off all the lights.
    * Analysis: While `关灯 (guān dēng)` is the most common way to say "turn off the light," `关上` can be used to emphasize ensuring they are all completely off.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 把盒子**关上**，不然东西会掉出来。
    * Pinyin: Bǎ hézi **guānshàng**, bùrán dōngxi huì diào chūlái.
    * English: Close the box, otherwise the things will fall out.
    * Analysis: A practical command showing cause and effect.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 他一句话也没说，就把电话**关上**了。
    * Pinyin: Tā yí jù huà yě méi shuō, jiù bǎ diànhuà **guānshàng** le.
    * English: He didn't say a word, just hung up the phone.
    * Analysis: Here, `关上电话` is a colloquial way to say "hang up the phone" or more accurately, "turn off the phone," ending the call. `挂断 (guàduàn)` is more specific for hanging up.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 你为什么把窗帘都**关上**了？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ wèishéme bǎ chuānglián dōu **guānshàng** le?
    * English: Why did you close all the curtains?
    * Analysis: Shows that `关上` can be used for things like curtains, although `拉上 (lāshàng)` (to pull shut) is also very common.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 请把你的嘴**关上**！
    * Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ nǐ de zuǐ **guānshàng**!
    * English: Please shut your mouth!
    * Analysis: This is a very direct and rude command. While grammatically correct, it should be used with extreme caution. `闭上 (bìshàng)` is more standard for "close your mouth."
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between `关 (guān)` and `关上 (guānshàng)`.
  * **`关 (guān)` vs. `关上 (guānshàng)`:**
    * **`关 (guān)`** is the //action// of closing. It doesn't guarantee the result.
      * Example: `他正在关门。(Tā zhèngzài guān mén.)` - He is in the process of closing the door. (The door might still be ajar).
    * **`关上 (guānshàng)`** is the //action + result//. It means the door is now shut.
      * Example: `他把门关上了。(Tā bǎ mén guānshàng le.)` - He closed the door (and it is now shut).
  * **Mistake: Using it for Businesses:**
    * You cannot say a store `关上` for the day. The correct term is `关门 (guānmén)`.
    * **Incorrect:** `那个商店晚上九点关上。`
    * **Correct:** `那个商店晚上九点关门。(Nàge shāngdiàn wǎnshàng jiǔ diǎn guānmén.)` - That store closes at 9 PM.
  * **False Friends: "Close" vs. "关上"**
    * In English, we might say "Close the program." In Chinese, you would typically use `关闭 (guānbì)` for software or applications. While `关上` might be understood for a computer (as in shutting it down), `关闭` is more precise for programs, files, or connections.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[开]] (kāi) - The direct antonym: "to open."
  * [[打开]] (dǎkāi) - The resultative equivalent of `开`. It means "to open" successfully. It is the perfect opposite of `关上`.
  * [[关]] (guān) - The base verb, simply indicating the action of closing without guaranteeing the result.
  * [[关门]] (guānmén) - Lit. "to close a door." Used specifically for a business closing for the day or closing down permanently.
  * [[关闭]] (guānbì) - A more formal or technical term for "to close," "to shut," or "to shut down." Used for factories, websites, accounts, or software programs.
  * [[合上]] (héshàng) - A very close synonym. It strongly implies two parts coming together. It's often interchangeable with `关上` for books (`合上书`), mouths (`合上嘴`), and eyes (`合上眼睛`), but less common for doors or windows.
  * [[关灯]] (guān dēng) - The set phrase for "to turn off the light."