to go and live with one's wife's family, in effect becoming a member of her family
HSK 4, unknown, rank #4426, Medium
shàngmén(shang4men2) T4
1to drop in
2to visit
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March 24, 2026
上门(上門)shàngmén(shang4men2)
上门 (shàngmén) refers to the act of visiting someone's home or place of business, often unexpectedly or casually. It can also imply a deeper cultural context, such as moving in with a spouse's family, indicating a significant familial bond and commitment. The term is commonly used in both social and business contexts.
Frequency#4426DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, visiting someone's home can signify close relationships and respect. 上门 can also reflect traditional family dynamics, particularly in contexts of marriage where a man may live with his wife's family.
Memory Tip
Picture a door (门) that is 'up' (上) or elevated, representing the idea of going to someone's doorstep. Imagine a friend surprising you by knocking on your door, which helps you remember 'shàngmén' as a friendly, impromptu visit.
Meanings of 上门
shàngmén(shang4men2)
1to drop in
2to visit
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 上门
上门Simplified
上門Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 上门
Podcast: 上门
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AI Study Notes for 上门
Quick Contrast
上门 (shàngmén) vs 造访 (zàofǎng) — use 上门 for casual or unexpected visits, while 造访 is more formal and implies a planned visit.
Memory Mnemonic
Picture a door (门) that is 'up' (上) or elevated, representing the idea of going to someone's doorstep. Imagine a friend surprising you by knocking on your door, which helps you remember 'shàngmén' as a friendly, impromptu visit.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 上门 with other visit-related terms like 访问 (fǎngwèn), which is more formal. It is important to use 上门 in casual contexts. Be mindful of the tone; the first character '上' should be pronounced with a falling tone, while the second character '门' has a rising tone.
HSK Study Tips
While 上门 is not specifically listed in HSK vocabulary, it connects to social interaction words relevant to HSK Level 3 and above. Focus on its usage in everyday conversations and practice scenarios where casual visits might occur.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, visiting someone's home can signify close relationships and respect. 上门 can also reflect traditional family dynamics, particularly in contexts of marriage where a man may live with his wife's family.
Common Mistakes
Learners might incorrectly use 上门 in formal invitations, such as saying '我上门邀请你' instead of '我邀请你来我家' (I invite you to my home). Remember that 上门 implies a more casual approach.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 上门
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Cultural Notes for 上门
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, visiting someone's home can signify close relationships and respect. 上门 can also reflect traditional family dynamics, particularly in contexts of marriage where a man may live with his wife's family.
Frequently Asked Questions about 上门
No, 上门 is generally used in informal contexts and suggests a casual or unexpected visit.
Yes, in business contexts, 上门 can mean to lock up or close a shop for the day.
You can say, '他昨天上门找我' (He dropped by to see me yesterday).
