Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- 门槛 [2025/08/11 23:16] – created xiaoer
+++ 门槛 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-====== ménkǎn: 门槛 - Threshold, Prerequisite, Barrier to Entry ======
-===== Quick Summary =====
-  * **Keywords:** menkan, ménkǎn, 门槛, threshold, doorstep, prerequisite, barrier to entry, entry requirement, Chinese culture threshold, job requirements in Chinese, learning Chinese
-  * **Summary:** Discover the deep meaning of **门槛 (ménkǎn)**, a Chinese word that literally means "threshold" or "doorstep" but is most often used figuratively to mean a "prerequisite," "barrier to entry," or "minimum requirement." This page explores how **门槛** shapes conversations about jobs, education, and skills in China, and delves into its fascinating cultural origins, teaching you how to use this essential HSK 5 term like a native speaker.
-===== Core Meaning =====
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** ménkǎn
-  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
-  * **HSK Level:** 5
-  * **Concise Definition:** A physical threshold of a doorway, or more commonly, a figurative barrier, requirement, or prerequisite for entry.
-  * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine a traditional Chinese house with a raised piece of wood at the bottom of the main door. That's a literal **门槛 (ménkǎn)**. Now, think of that physical barrier as a metaphor. In modern Chinese, **门槛** is used for any "barrier" you must cross to get into something—a university, a new job, an investment, or even a hobby. It's the minimum standard or requirement you have to meet.
-===== Character Breakdown =====
-  * **门 (mén):** Door, gate, entrance. This character is a pictograph, originally looking like a pair of swinging doors. It represents access and entry.
-  * **槛 (kǎn):** Threshold, door-sill. This character is composed of the radical **木 (mù)**, meaning "wood," on the left, and **监 (jiān)** on the right, which contributes to the sound and hints at a sense of guarding or watching. So, it's the "wooden guard" of the door.
-  * Together, **门槛 (ménkǎn)** literally means "door threshold," the physical barrier at the entrance, which perfectly sets up its powerful figurative meaning of an entry barrier.
-===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
-  * In traditional Chinese architecture and belief, the physical **门槛 (ménkǎn)** holds significant cultural weight. It was believed to serve several purposes: to keep water from flowing in, to deter snakes and rodents, and most importantly, to block evil spirits and bad luck from entering the home. For this reason, it is considered disrespectful and bad luck to step directly **on** the threshold. One should always step **over** it. This act shows respect for the home and its inhabitants.
-  * **Comparison to Western Concepts:** While we might use "entry requirements" or "prerequisites" in English, **门槛 (ménkǎn)** is broader and more evocative. Think of the term "glass ceiling," which refers to an invisible barrier preventing advancement, usually for women or minorities. **门槛 (ménkǎn)** is different because it's usually a **known, explicit barrier** at the very beginning. It's not about advancement; it's about getting in the door in the first place. For example, a job ad might state the "门槛" is a master's degree. This isn't a hidden barrier; it's the stated rule of entry.
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
-  * **门槛 (ménkǎn)** is overwhelmingly used in its figurative sense today. You'll hear it constantly in discussions about careers, education, and economics. It's often paired with adjectives like **高 (gāo, high)** or **低 (dī, low)**.
-  * **Jobs and Careers:** This is the most common context. "求职门槛" (qiúzhí ménkǎn) refers to the minimum qualifications for a job (e.g., degree, years of experience). A high-paying job at a top tech company will have a very **高门槛 (gāo ménkǎn)**.
-    * Example: 现在的就业**门槛**越来越高了。 (The bar for getting a job is getting higher and higher now.)
-  * **Education:** "入学门槛" (rùxué ménkǎn) means the requirements for getting into a school or university. Top universities have an extremely high **门槛**.
-  * **Business and Finance:** "投资门槛" (tóuzī ménkǎn) is the minimum amount of money required to make an investment. A company might **降低门槛 (jiàngdī ménkǎn)**, or lower its prices/requirements, to attract more customers.
-  * **Skills and Hobbies:** You can talk about the **门槛** for learning something new. For instance, playing the guitar has a relatively low **门槛** (it's easy to start), but mastering it is hard.
-    * Example: 这个游戏的**门槛**很低，谁都能玩。 (This game has a very low barrier to entry; anyone can play it.)
-===== Example Sentences =====
-  * **Example 1:**
-    * 奶奶说，进门的时候不要踩**门槛**。
-    * Pinyin: Nǎinai shuō, jìn mén de shíhòu bùyào cǎi **ménkǎn**.
-    * English: Grandma said not to step on the threshold when you enter.
-    * Analysis: This is the literal, cultural usage. It's a piece of advice rooted in tradition, often passed down from older generations.
-  * **Example 2:**
-    * 这家公司的招聘**门槛**很高，至少需要硕士学位。
-    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī de zhāopìn **ménkǎn** hěn gāo, zhìshǎo xūyào shuòshì xuéwèi.
-    * English: This company's recruitment threshold is very high; you need at least a master's degree.
-    * Analysis: A classic example of **门槛** in a professional context. It clearly defines the minimum requirement for a job application.
-  * **Example 3:**
-    * 为了吸引更多用户，他们决定降低产品的价格**门槛**。
-    * Pinyin: Wèile xīyǐn gèng duō yònghù, tāmen juédìng jiàngdī chǎnpǐn de jiàgé **ménkǎn**.
-    * English: In order to attract more users, they decided to lower the product's price threshold.
-    * Analysis: Here, **门槛** refers to the price barrier. `降低门槛 (jiàngdī ménkǎn)` is a common phrase in business meaning "to make something more accessible."
-  * **Example 4:**
-    * 学习编程的**门槛**并不高，网上有很多免费资源。
-    * Pinyin: Xuéxí biānchéng de **ménkǎn** bìng bù gāo, wǎngshàng yǒu hěnduō miǎnfèi zīyuán.
-    * English: The barrier to entry for learning programming isn't high; there are many free resources online.
-    * Analysis: This shows how **门槛** can be used for skills. A "low threshold" means it's easy to get started.
-  * **Example 5:**
-    * 他的学历成了他找工作的一道**门槛**。
-    * Pinyin: Tā de xuélì chéngle tā zhǎo gōngzuò de yí dào **ménkǎn**.
-    * English: His educational background became a barrier for him in finding a job.
-    * Analysis: The measure word `道 (dào)` is often used with **门槛**, treating it like a physical gate or barrier that one must pass through.
-  * **Example 6:**
-    * 你不能把**门槛**设得太高，否则没人能达到要求。
-    * Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng bǎ **ménkǎn** shè de tài gāo, fǒuzé méi rén néng dádào yāoqiú.
-    * English: You can't set the bar too high, otherwise no one will be able to meet the requirements.
-    * Analysis: `设置门槛 (shèzhì ménkǎn)` means "to set a requirement/threshold." This sentence is a common piece of advice.
-  * **Example 7:**
-    * 我学了三个月，感觉自己终于摸到点儿**门槛**了。
-    * Pinyin: Wǒ xuéle sān ge yuè, gǎnjué zìjǐ zhōngyú mō dào diǎnr **ménkǎn** le.
-    * English: After studying for three months, I feel like I've finally gotten the hang of it.
-    * Analysis: The phrase `摸到门槛 (mō dào ménkǎn)`, literally "to touch the threshold," is a wonderful idiom. It means to just begin to understand the basics or get the knack of a complex skill.
-  * **Example 8:**
-    * 这个私人俱乐部的**门槛**可不只是钱，还看你的社会地位。
-    * Pinyin: Zhège sīrén jùlèbù de **ménkǎn** kě bù zhǐshì qián, hái kàn nǐ de shèhuì dìwèi.
-    * English: The entry barrier for this private club isn't just about money; it also depends on your social status.
-    * Analysis: This shows that a **门槛** can be something intangible like social status, not just a formal qualification.
-  * **Example 9:**
-    * 申请这个签证有没有收入**门槛**？
-    * Pinyin: Shēnqǐng zhège qiānzhèng yǒu méiyǒu shōurù **ménkǎn**?
-    * English: Is there an income threshold for applying for this visa?
-    * Analysis: A very practical question. Here, **门槛** directly translates to a minimum required income level.
-  * **Example 10:**
-    * 对于很多农村孩子来说，高考是他们改变命运的唯一**门槛**。
-    * Pinyin: Duìyú hěnduō nóngcūn háizi lái shuō, gāokǎo shì tāmen gǎibiàn mìngyùn de wéiyī **ménkǎn**.
-    * English: For many children from rural areas, the college entrance exam (Gaokao) is the only threshold they can cross to change their destiny.
-    * Analysis: This powerful sentence illustrates the immense social significance of the Gaokao, framing it as the critical **门槛** to social mobility.
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
-  * **Literal vs. Figurative:** The biggest mistake for learners is underusing the figurative meaning. While it literally means "doorstep," probably 95% of the time you encounter **门槛** in modern Chinese, it will refer to a figurative requirement or barrier.
-  * **False Friend: "Threshold" vs. "门槛":** In English, "threshold" is used less broadly. You might talk about a "pain threshold" or the "threshold of a new era," but you wouldn't typically say, "The threshold for this job is a bachelor's degree." In Chinese, using **门槛** in that context is the most natural way to say it. **门槛** is almost always about a requirement for **entry** or **participation**.
-  * **Incorrect Usage (Time vs. Requirement):** Do not use **门槛** to mean a deadline. It's a common mistake.
-    * **Incorrect:** 这个项目的**门槛**是星期五。 (The threshold for this project is Friday.)
-    * **Correct:** 这个项目的**截止日期**是星期五。 (The deadline for this project is Friday.)
-    * **Why it's wrong:** **门槛** refers to a level of qualification or a condition you must meet (e.g., "you must have 3 years of experience"), not a point in time. For deadlines, use `截止日期 (jiézhǐ rìqī)`.
-===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
-  * `[[要求]] (yāoqiú)` - Requirement, demand. A general term. A **门槛** is a specific type of **要求**—the one needed to get in.
-  * `[[标准]] (biāozhǔn)` - Standard, criterion. A **门槛** is often the minimum **标准** that must be met.
-  * `[[资格]] (zīgé)` - Qualification(s). You must meet the **门槛** to obtain the **资格** to do something. (e.g., The threshold is a law degree; if you meet it, you have the qualification to take the bar exam).
-  * `[[障碍]] (zhàng'ài)` - Obstacle, barrier. A much broader term for any kind of hindrance. A **门槛** is a specific type of **障碍** found at the very beginning.
-  * `[[瓶颈]] (píngjǐng)` - Bottleneck. This refers to a point of difficulty or blockage *after* you have already entered or started a process. **门槛** is the barrier to starting at all.
-  * `[[入门]] (rùmén)` - To get started, to learn the basics, entry-level. This is the action of crossing the **门槛**. An "入门" course is one with a low **门槛**.
-  * `[[底线]] (dǐxiàn)` - Bottom line, baseline. This is usually about the minimum you are willing to accept in a negotiation, while **门槛** is the minimum you require from others.