đóng cửa
Definition
Verb phrase:
- To close a door or gate: The primary meaning refers to the physical action of moving a door, gate, or window so that an opening is covered or blocked.
- To shut down a business or operation: Used to describe the cessation of business activities, either permanently or for the day, at a shop, factory, or institution.
Verb phrase (figurative):
- To close off / to end: Can describe concluding an event, terminating a discussion, or refusing further communication or opportunity.
Usage Examples
Verb phrase:
- Hãy đóng cửa lại vì trời lạnh. (Please close the door because it's cold.)
- Cửa hàng đó đóng cửa lúc 10 giờ tối. (That store closes at 10 p.m.)
- Nhà máy đã buộc phải đóng cửa. (The factory was forced to shut down.)
Figurative:
- Cuộc thảo luận đã đóng cửa. (The discussion was closed.)
- Họ đóng cửa với mọi đề nghị mới. (They closed the door to all new proposals.)
Advanced Usage
"đóng cửa đào tạo": to close enrollment; to stop admitting new trainees or students.
- Khóa học đã đóng cửa đào tạo. (The course has closed its enrollment.)
"đóng cửa tương lai": to close off the future; to eliminate future prospects.
- Quyết định đó có thể đóng cửa tương lai của anh ấy. (That decision could close off his future.)
Variants and Related Words
Đóng cửa ngoài (v): to lock out.
- Tôi bị đóng cửa ngoài. (I was locked out.)
Cửa đóng then cài (idiomatic phrase): describes a door being shut and bolted, implying a state of being completely closed or isolated.
- Ngôi nhà cửa đóng then cài. (The house was shut up tight.)
Synonyms
- Close: to move something so as to cover an opening.
- Shut: to close something firmly.
- Shut down: to cease operations.
Related Idioms
Đóng cửa bảo nhau: to discuss matters privately behind closed doors.
- Hội đồng quản trị đóng cửa bảo nhau. (The board of directors held a private discussion.)
Đóng cửa dạy nhau: similar to the above, meaning to teach or advise each other in private.
- Hai mẹ con đóng cửa dạy nhau. (The mother and daughter had a private talk.)