龙门
lóng mén
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.
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lóng mén shí kūLongmen Grottoes (the famous historical site)
- 中国龙门zhōng guó lóng ménDragon Gate, China (explicit geographical reference)
- 鲤鱼跳龙门lǐ yú tiào lóng méncarp 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。
lóng mén shí kū shì zhōng guó zhù míng de fó jiào yì shù bǎo kù 。
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。
wǒ men jì huà qù hé nán luò yáng cān guān lóng mén 。
We plan to visit Longmen in Luoyang, Henan.
他通过努力终于跳过了龙门。
tā tōng guò nǔ lì zhōng yú tiào guò le lóng mén 。
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 · Dragon饺子 · Dumpling金龙 · Gold dragon
Want to speak Chinese for real?
Start a free lesson with a native teacher →
Start a free lesson with a native teacher →