guānbì: 关闭 - To Close, Shut, Turn Off

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• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 关闭 (guānbì), a versatile word used for closing physical objects like doors, turning off electronics like computers and lights, and shutting down businesses or services. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage with over 10 real-world example sentences, helping you master how to say “close” or “shut off” in any situation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): guānbì
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To close, shut, or turn off something.
• In a Nutshell: 关闭 (guānbì) is the go-to formal and standard verb for the action of making something inaccessible, inactive, or not open. Think of it as a universal “off switch” or “close” button in Chinese. It applies equally to shutting a physical gate, turning off your phone, closing a software application, or a company ceasing operations.

• 关 (guān): This character originally depicted a bolt on a gate. Today, its primary meaning is “to close,” “to shut,” or “to turn off.” It can also mean “to concern” or “related to.” The image of closing a gate is the key to remembering its meaning in this context.
• 闭 (bì): This character shows a door (门) with a block or bar, literally meaning “to shut” or “to block off.” It emphasizes the state of being sealed or inaccessible.
• Together, 关闭 (guānbì) combines “closing a gate” (关) with “shutting a door” (闭), creating a strong, unambiguous verb that means to close something securely or completely.

While 关闭 (guānbì) is a highly practical word without deep philosophical meaning, its usage reflects a straightforward and efficient approach to actions. Unlike English, which uses distinct verbs like “turn off” (for electronics), “shut down” (for computers/companies), “close” (for shops/doors), and “shut” (for windows/mouths), Chinese often uses 关闭 as a versatile, one-size-fits-all term. This highlights a feature of the Chinese language where context is paramount. Hearing 关闭 requires the listener to understand from the context whether a light, a business, or a door is the object of the action. In a modern business context, the announcement of a company 关闭 (guānbì) is a significant event. It's a formal and final term, often carrying more weight than a temporary suspension of business, which might be described with a different word like 停业 (tíngyè).

关闭 (guānbì) is a neutral term used in a wide variety of contexts, from everyday conversation to formal written announcements.

This is the most literal usage. It's slightly more formal than just using `关 (guān)`.

• Usage: Closing doors, windows, gates, books.
• Example: “请关闭所有门窗。” (Qǐng guānbì suǒyǒu ménchuāng.) - “Please close all doors and windows.”

This is an extremely common usage in the digital age.

• Usage: Turning off lights, computers, televisions, mobile phones, power supplies.
• Example: “睡觉前别忘了关闭电脑。” (Shuìjiào qián bié wàngle guānbì diànnǎo.) - “Don't forget to turn off the computer before sleeping.”

This usage refers to ceasing operations, either temporarily or permanently. It's often used in news reports or official notices.

• Usage: A shop closing for the day, a factory shutting down, a website being taken offline.
• Example: “由于暴风雪，机场暂时关闭了。” (Yóuyú bàofēngxuě, jīchǎng zànshí guānbì le.) - “The airport has been temporarily closed due to the blizzard.”

In a software context, this is the standard term for closing a program, window, or file.

• Usage: Closing a pop-up ad, an application, a browser tab.
• Example: “你可以点击右上角的‘X’来关闭这个窗口。” (Nǐ kěyǐ diǎnjī yòushàngjiǎo de 'X' lái guānbì zhège chuāngkǒu.) - “You can click the 'X' in the top-right corner to close this window.”

• Example 1:
  • 外面风太大了，请把窗户关闭。
  • Pinyin: Wàimiàn fēng tài dà le, qǐng bǎ chuānghu guānbì.
  • English: The wind outside is too strong, please close the window.
  • Analysis: A polite, standard request to close a physical object. Using 关闭 here is slightly more formal and emphatic than just `关 (guān)`.
• Example 2:
  • 离开办公室的时候，记得关闭所有的灯和空调。
  • Pinyin: Líkāi bàngōngshì de shíhou, jìde guānbì suǒyǒu de dēng hé kōngtiáo.
  • English: When you leave the office, remember to turn off all the lights and the air conditioner.
  • Analysis: A common instruction in a workplace setting, covering multiple electronic devices.
• Example 3:
  • 这家工厂因为污染问题被政府强制关闭了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngchǎng yīnwèi wūrǎn wèntí bèi zhèngfǔ qiángzhì guānbì le.
  • English: This factory was forcibly shut down by the government due to pollution problems.
  • Analysis: Here, 关闭 carries a serious, official, and permanent connotation. The passive voice `被 (bèi)` is often used with it in such contexts.
• Example 4:
  • 为了系统更新，我们的网站将在午夜关闭两小时。
  • Pinyin: Wèile xìtǒng gēngxīn, wǒmen de wǎngzhàn jiàng zài wǔyè guānbì liǎng xiǎoshí.
  • English: For a system update, our website will be shut down for two hours at midnight.
  • Analysis: A formal announcement regarding a service. 关闭 clearly communicates temporary unavailability.
• Example 5:
  • 如果手机没反应了，你可以尝试强制关闭再重启。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ shǒujī méi fǎnyìng le, nǐ kěyǐ chángshì qiángzhì guānbì zài chóngqǐ.
  • English: If your phone is unresponsive, you can try to force shut it down and then restart it.
  • Analysis: A technical instruction. 关闭 is the standard term for “shutting down” or “powering off” a device.
• Example 6:
  • 图书馆晚上十点准时关闭。
  • Pinyin: Túshūguǎn wǎnshang shí diǎn zhǔnshí guānbì.
  • English: The library closes at 10 PM sharp.
  • Analysis: Used to state the official closing time of a public facility.
• Example 7:
  • 他轻轻地关闭了书，然后开始思考。
  • Pinyin: Tā qīngqīng de guānbì le shū, ránhòu kāishǐ sīkǎo.
  • English: He gently closed the book and then began to think.
  • Analysis: While `合上 (héshàng)` is more common for closing a book, 关闭 can be used in a more literary or formal context to create a sense of finality.
• Example 8:
  • 这个软件有很多烦人的弹出广告，我必须手动关闭它们。
  • Pinyin: Zhège ruǎnjiàn yǒu hěn duō fánrén de tánchū guǎnggào, wǒ bìxū shǒudòng guānbì tāmen.
  • English: This software has many annoying pop-up ads; I have to manually close them.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of its use in the digital world for closing windows or applications.
• Example 9:
  • 由于道路施工，前方路段已关闭。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú dàolù shīgōng, qiánfāng lùduàn yǐ guānbì.
  • English: Due to road construction, the section of road ahead is closed.
  • Analysis: A common phrase seen on traffic signs or in traffic alerts.
• Example 10:
  • 在会议期间，请关闭您的手机或将其调至静音模式。
  • Pinyin: Zài huìyì qījiān, qǐng guānbì nín de shǒujī huò jiāng qí tiáo zhì jìngyīn móshì.
  • English: During the meeting, please turn off your mobile phone or switch it to silent mode.
  • Analysis: A formal and polite request often made at the beginning of meetings, presentations, or performances.

• `关 (guān)` vs. `关闭 (guānbì)`: This is the most common point of confusion.
  • `关 (guān)`: More common in colloquial speech, especially for simple actions. It's often paired with a complement like `上 (shàng)` or `掉 (diào)`. Examples: `关门 (guān mén)`, `关灯 (guān dēng)`, `关上窗户 (guānshàng chuānghu)`.
  • `关闭 (guānbì)`: Slightly more formal and complete. It's often used as a standalone verb in written notices, technical manuals, or when you want to sound more official. You would see 关闭 on a sign, but you might tell your friend `快关门 (kuài guān mén)`.
• Common Mistake: Closing a person's mouth.
  • Incorrect: ~~请关闭你的嘴。~~ (Qǐng guānbì nǐ de zuǐ.)
  • Correct: `请闭嘴 (qǐng bìzuǐ)`. The verb for telling someone to be quiet is 闭嘴 (bìzuǐ), which literally means “close mouth.” Using 关闭 here is unnatural and incorrect.
• Action vs. State: 关闭 is the *action* of closing. To describe the *state* of being closed, you typically use `关着 (guān zhe)`.
  • Action: 他正在关闭大门。(Tā zhèngzài guānbì dàmén.) - He is closing the main gate.
  • State: 大门关着。(Dàmén guān zhe.) - The main gate is closed.

• 开 (kāi): The direct antonym of `关`. It means “to open” or “to turn on.”
• 关 (guān): The simpler, more colloquial version of 关闭. The core character for “to close.”
• 关上 (guānshàng): A resultative verb meaning “to close shut.” Very common for physical objects like doors and windows, emphasizing the result of the action.
• 打开 (dǎkāi): The direct antonym of `关上`, meaning “to open up.”
• 关机 (guānjī): A specific term meaning “to turn off a machine,” especially a computer (`电脑关机`) or phone (`手机关机`).
• 开机 (kāijī): The antonym of `关机`, “to turn on a machine.”
• 停业 (tíngyè): A more specific term for a business “suspending operations,” which can be temporary.
• 倒闭 (dǎobì): A stronger term meaning “to go bankrupt” or “to close down” due to business failure. It carries a very negative connotation.
• 闭嘴 (bìzuǐ): An informal (and often rude) command meaning “Shut up!” It shows how `闭 (bì)` is used for the mouth.