龙门
Lóngmén
Dragon gate china · trad. 龍門
龙门 (Lóngmén), literally "Dragon Gate," is a culturally significant name in China. It most famously refers to the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟), a UNESCO World Heritage site near Luoyang, Henan province, renowned for its ancient Buddhist art. It can also be used metaphorically.
What does 龙门 (Lóngmén) mean?
龙门 (Lóngmén) means “dragon gate China” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “dragon gate.”
When to use it
Neutral. When referring to the famous grottoes, it's common to specify 龙门石窟. The term 龙门 itself is often used in geographical, historical, or idiomatic contexts.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "LOONG-MEN." Both syllables are said with a rising tone, similar to asking a question in English, but with a more pronounced upward inflection.
Other ways to say it
- 龙门石窟Lóngmén ShíkūLongmen Grottoes (the famous historical site)
- 河南洛阳龙门Hénán luòyáng lóngménDragon Gate, China (explicit geographical reference)
- 鲤鱼跳龙门lǐyú tiào Lóngméncarp leaping over the Dragon Gate (an idiom for achieving great success)
Examples
龙门石窟是中国著名的佛教艺术宝库。
Lóngmén Shíkū shì Zhōngguó zhùmíng de Fójiào yìshù bǎokù.
The Longmen Grottoes are a famous treasure trove of Buddhist art in China.
我们计划去河南洛阳参观龙门。
Wǒmen jìhuà qù Hénán Luòyáng cānguān Lóngmén.
We plan to visit Longmen in Luoyang, Henan.
他通过努力终于跳过了龙门。
Tā tōngguò nǔlì zhōngyú tiàoguò le lóngmén.
He finally leaped over the Dragon Gate through hard work (meaning he achieved great success).
Pro tip: The idiom 鲤鱼跳龙门 (lǐyú tiào Lóngmén) is very popular. It describes a carp transforming into a dragon after successfully leaping over the mythical Dragon Gate, symbolizing perseverance leading to great achievement or promotion. It's often used to encourage students or those striving for success.
Related phrases
龙的传说 · Dragon mythology龙王神话 · Dragon king mythology龙文化 · Culture dragon
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